Commune Chief Collectors’ Scam Follows Election
June 7th, 2012, The Cambodia Daily, Social Concerns
The commune election had only just ended on Sunday when the scam had started.
On Tuesday, a well-dressed man claiming to be the brother of one of Phnom Penh’s newly reelected commune chiefs visited a business to present an invitation.
It was convincing: The father of the chief of Chaktomuk commune in Daun Penh district had died, and you have been invited to the seven day anniversary of the deceased, which is taking place the following morning in Kratie province.
Unable to attend? Not to worry. The man offered a quick alternative: “OK, just give the money now. Put it in the envelope with your business card,” he said, his demeanor insistent and impatient in equal measure.
On this occasion at least, the cash donation collector left empty handed. Chaktomuk commune chief Un Sam Ang said yesterday that his father had died during the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s, and he was unaware of any funeral invitations being disseminated in his name. …
Khy Sovuthy, P.19
http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/ (Note: Infrequently Updated.)
Two Killed in Brawl at Thai Seafood Factory
June 7th, 2012, The Cambodia Daily, International Relations, Labor, Social Concerns
A Cambodian man and a Burmese man were killed on Monday in a mass brawl that broke out between hundreds of migrant workers at a seafood factory in Thailand, a worker and a government official said yesterday.
Fighting allegedly broke out between workers at Siam International Food Co. Ltd.’s factory in Thailand’s southern Songkhla province after an attack was carried out on a Burmese worker, said Heang Bora, 24, an employee at the factory working as an interpreter. …
Khuon Narim and Simon Lewis, P. 20
http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/ (Note: Infrequently Updated.)
Puma Factory Reaps Rewards Of Paying for Workers’ Meals
June 6th, 2012, The Cambodia Daily, Garment Industry, Industry, Social Concerns
A factory supplying shoes for German sports brand Puma has experienced no mass faintings and seen overall productivity improve since it started providing meals to its workers last year, a Puma representative and a factory official said yesterday.
Workers at Huey Chuen (Cambodia) Corp. Ltd. in Phnom Penh’s Pur Senchey district also said they were more productive because fewer of them were taking sick leave.
More than 100 workers at the factory fainted in April 2011 and another 47 fainted less than four months later. They were diagnosed with low blood sugar levels from having skipped breakfast. …
Dene-Hern Chen and Thor Sina, P. 24
http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/ (Note: Infrequently Updated.)
Questions raised over migrant worker death
June 6th, 2012, The Phnom Penh Post, International Relations, Labor, Social Concerns
Authorities are investigating the death of a Cambodian worker that took place on Monday outside a factory in Thailand’s Songkhla province, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said yesterday. …
Phan Chem, a representative of Cambodian workers at Siam International Food Co… said a 19-year-old worker from Prey Veng province had been killed and seven other Cambodian workers injured during a clash with Burmese co-workers outside the factory on Monday. …
Meas Sokchea, P. 3
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012060656619/National-news/questions-raised-over-migrant-worker-death.html
Third time’s lucky for a new paper (9)
June 6th, 2012, The Phnom Penh Post, Industry, Social Concerns
Government officials are finally letting Ros Sokhet publish his newspaper, and he only had to change the name – twice.
The Khmer Nation, called Revelation-Corruption News in a former life, and Anti-Corruption News in the life before that one, is supposed to hit newsstands today in Phnom Penh. …
Mom Kunthear, P. 6
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012060656615/National-news/third-times-lucky-for-a-new-paper.html
CPP still rules Boeung Kak, Borei Keila
June 5th, 2012, The Phnom Penh Post, Disputed Land, Economic Land Concessions, Land Tenure, Social Concerns
Criticism of the Cambodian People’s Party has been overt in recent months as those from Boeung Kak lake and Borei Keila have taken to the streets to vent their frustration and anger at their housing situations.
But an equivalent backlash at the polls was nowhere to be found on Sunday, and both communities – like most other parts of the country – remain under CPP control after the nation’s commune elections. …
Khouth Sophak Chakrya and Shane Worrell, P. 3
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012060556590/National-news/cpp-still-rules-b-kak-b-keila.html
SRP Says Rural Gains Coincide With Land Grabs
June 5th, 2012, The Cambodia Daily, Disputed Land, Economic Land Concessions, Land Tenure, Social Concerns
While preliminary results from Sunday’s commune elections indicate that the SRP took a thumping in urban centers—the SRP lost all three of their commune chief positions in Phnom Penh—the party appears to have made gains in rural areas locked in land disputes.
Though the figures are still preliminary and the evidence anecdotal, early results appear to mark a shift in sensibility among rural voters in areas where land has been lost to economic land concessions, analysts said yesterday.
Communes that have seen well-documented land disputes in Ratanakkiri, Kratie, Koh Kong, Banteay Meanchey, and Kompong Chhnang provinces all saw gains for the SRP, the preliminary results show.
In Kratie province’s Sre Cha and Snuol communes, both located in Snuol district, villagers have been sparring with three rubber companies for more than four years. In each of those communes, the SRP gained a councilor seat. …
Kuch Naren, P. 1
http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/ (Note: Infrequently Updated.)
Productivity Could Increase if Manufacturers Feed Workers
June 5th, 2012, The Cambodia Daily, Garment Industry, Labor, Social Concerns
More than 60 percent of garment factory owners believe that the productivity of their workers could increase if nutrition levels improved and over half would be willing to provide meals for their workers as long as it came at the right price, according to a study released yesterday.
To assess how willing factories might be in providing their workers with meals, Hagar Catering & Facilities Management—a company that provides meals to about 8,000 workers in 15 factories—surveyed the sector in November.
“Recent fainting incidents in the sector in 2011 have highlighted once again the need to address the health of workers in general,” the report says. “Lack of nutrition, unhygenic nutrition, lack of information as well as factory conditions and mass hysteria have been mentioned as possible contributing factors to the fainting incidents.” …
Dene-Hern Chen, P. 24
http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/ (Note: Infrequently Updated.)
Boeung Kak women visited by MPs
June 5th, 2012, The Phnom Penh Post, Disputed Land, Land Tenure, Social Concerns
Thirteen Boeung Kak women locked in Prey Sar prison after a three-hour trial on May 24 are threatening to go on a hunger strike in protest, an opposition Sam Rainsy lawmaker said yesterday.
A team of SRP MPs, including Mu Sochua, was granted access to the prison yesterday to check on the health and well-being of the 13 and another Boeung Kak woman…
Khouth Sophak Chakrya and Shane Worrell, P. 4
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012060556586/National-news/boeung-kak-women-visited-by-mps.html
City Blames B Kak Protests On ‘Foreigners’
June 5th, 2012, The Cambodia Daily, Disputed Land, Economic Land Concessions, Land Tenure, Real Estate, Social Concerns
The Phnom Penh municipality defended itself for the first time this weekend against sustained criticism from rights groups over the jailing of 13 female protesters from Boeng Kak, blaming the backlash on the “insanity” of unnamed foreign provocateurs.
SRP lawmakers, meanwhile, met with the women in prison yesterday and vowed to seek the U.S.’ help in securing their release.
International and national human rights groups have accused the Phnom Penh Municipal Court of violating the women’s fair trial rights and doing the government’s bidding after a lightning-fast trial in which judges refused the defense’s requests to postpone the proceedings or allow defense witnesses to testify.
The women were arrested two days earlier during a peaceful protest against CPP Senator Lao Meng Khin’s Boeng Kak real estate project, which has forced thousands of families out of their homes. …
Khuon Narim, P. 22
http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/ (Note: Infrequently Updated.)
‘Arbitrary decision’ decried by silenced outlets
June 5th, 2012, The Phnom Penh Post, International Relations, Social Concerns
The two US-backed media outlets and a local NGO’s news service whose broadcasts in Khmer were yanked off the airwaves by government officials before Sunday’s elections aren’t staying silent about the effect of such a move, with one calling it a giant step backward for the country.
The absence of stories from the field stemmed from a decision by the Ministry of Information…
Joseph Freeman and Vong Sokheng, P. 2
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012060556591/National-news/arbitrary-decision-decried-by-silenced-outlets.html
KR Bank Official Quizzed Over Disappearances
June 5th, 2012, The Cambodia Daily, Banking & Finance, Social Concerns
On his second day of questioning by prosecutors at the Khmer Rouge tribunal yesterday, the deputy director of the foreign commerce bank during the Pol Pot regime, Sar Kim Lomouth, said he feared for his safety following the purging of several superiors at the Ministry of Commerce.
When asked whether he knew what had happened to Vorn Vet, head of the commerce committee, or comrades Choun and Nem, two other ministry officials—all three of whom were sent to the notorious S-21 prison—Mr. Lomouth replied that he had no idea and had never asked anyone about their fate.
“At the commerce committee and my workplace I didn’t see Vorn Vet working in that office, so I don’t know his whereabouts during the later period of [the] regime…. I didn’t hear anything about him,” Mr. Lomouth said. Besides Mr. Vet’s absence, he added that an interpreter from the Ministry of Commerce also disappeared. …
Kate Bartlett, P. 22
http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/ (Note: Infrequently Updated.)
‘Outsiders’ denied right to vote
June 4th, 2012, The Phnom Penh Post, Disputed Land, Land Tenure, Social Concerns
Just under three weeks ago, residents in Pro Ma village were running for their lives as security forces opened fire on them with automatic weapons, killing a 14-year-old girl.
About 1,000 police, military police and soldiers stormed their village, fired at them indiscriminately, evicted hundreds of families and have maintained a significant presence ever since.
As the most recent victims in a series of violent crackdowns against communities protesting against land encroachments in Kratie province, their vote in yesterday’s commune elections could have been telling.
But about 180 families in Pro Ma village, which lies inside Chhlong district’s Kampong Damrei commune in an area that has been deforested as far as the eye can see, are not even considered residents and thus do not have the right to vote. …
May Tittihara and David Boyle, P. 3
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012060456570/National-news/outsiders-denied-right-to-vote.html
Ahead of Vote, Hun Sen Breaks Silence to Make Land Promises
June 2nd, 2012, The Cambodia Daily, Disputed Land, Economic Land Concessions, Land Tenure, Social Concerns
Just days ahead of Sunday’s commune elections, Prime Minister Hun Sen again broke his pledge to remain silent during his party’s campaign period and sought to ease the concerns of communities whose livelihoods have been threatened by land disputes.
Speaking to villagers through a mobile telephone, and with his voice being amplified by a loud speaker, Mr. Hun Sen on Thursday used the final stages of the 15-day campaign trial to convince thousands of villagers in Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey provinces that their land was not under threat from private investors who have been granted economic land concessions.
The timing of Mr. Hun Sen’s speech appears to demonstrate just how contentious the issue of land loss has become in Cambodia, and how aware the ruling party is of the effects it could have on Sunday’s vote.
Last month, a 14-year-old girl was shot dead during a violent land eviction in Kratie province, 14 women and one man were jailed for protesting against a forced eviction in Phnom Penh, and a well-known monk was warned by his religious superiors to stop advocating on behalf of communities fighting against land grabbing. …
Khy Sovuthy and Simon Marks, P. 1
http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/ (Note: Infrequently Updated.)
Children of Jailed 15 Make Plea for Parents
June 1st, 2012, The Cambodia Daily, Disputed Land, Land Tenure, Real Estate, Social Concerns
Relatives and neighbors sang, cried and pleaded outside the Ministry of Justice yesterday for the release of the 14 women and one man arrested last week for protesting against CPP Senator Lao Meng Khin’s controversial Boeng Kak real estate project.
Worried by reports that the World Bank was preparing to lift a funding freeze it imposed on Cambodia last year because of the thousands of families evicted from Boeng Kak to make way for the project, NGOs in turn called on the World Bank to keep the freeze in place.
Thirteen of the detained women were sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail on May 24 on what human rights groups have called “trumped-up charges” stemming from their peaceful protest against the senator’s project.
Another man and woman were arrested outside the courthouse and remain in pretrial detention.
The arrests and sentencing have sparked outrage from local and international rights groups alike, as well as near-daily protests with banners calling on the government to “Free the 15.”
Outside the Ministry of Justice yesterday, the sons and daughter of the jailed women taped photos of their mothers to their foreheads, clutched lotus flowers between their palms and sang for their freedom. …
Khuon Narim and Zsombor Peter, P. 23
http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/ (Note: Infrequently Updated.)
Boeung Kak children’s tearful plea
June 1st, 2012, The Phnom Penh Post, Borrowing, Disputed Land, Land Tenure, Social Concerns
Children of imprisoned Boeung Kak lake women pleaded for their mothers’ release outside the Ministry of Justice yesterday.
The demonstration, which included more than 200 Boeung Kak residents and activist monk Loun Savath, was held on the eve of International Children’s Day.
It also coincided with more than 100 NGOs writing a letter to the World Bank asking it not to end its suspension of new loans to Cambodia. …
Khouth Sophak Chakrya and Shane Worrell, P. 3
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012060156538/National-news/boeung-kak-childrens-tearful-plea.html
Abused Maid to Remain in Malaysia for Case
June 1st, 2012, The Cambodia Daily, International Relations, Labor, Social Concerns
A hospitalized Cambodian woman who was severely beaten and subjected to humiliating abuse while working as a maid will remain in Malaysia to see out the legal process against her Malaysian employers, an official said yesterday.
Tan Mong Huwai, 36, and his wife, Eng Lay Sang, 36, were charged on Tuesday with physically abusing Cheah Phalla, 28, and allegedly forcing her to consume her own feces and urine.
Chhay Kosal, second secretary at the Cambodian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, said yesterday that Ms. Phalla had been granted permission to stay in Malaysia until the couple was prosecuted and compensation obtained in the Malaysian courts. …
Simon Lewis and Phorn Bopha, P. 22
http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/ (Note: Infrequently Updated.)
Maid complaints on the rise
June 1st, 2012, The Phnom Penh Post, Fishing, International Relations, Labor, Social Concerns
The number of complaints filed in Kampong Chhnang province by the families of maids working in Malaysia has jumped exponentially compared to the same period last year, a rights worker told the Post yesterday.
Provincial Adhoc coordinator Soum Chankea said 39 requests for the NGO’s intervention in maid cases had been filed in the first five months of this year.
An additional 23 complaints were filed regarding fishermen working overseas. …
Mom Kunthear, P. 5
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012060156536/National-news/maid-complaints-on-the-rise.html
After Threats to Cut Pay, Garment Workers Strike
June 1st, 2012, The Cambodia Daily, Garment Industry, Industry, Labor, Social Concerns
Nearly 2,000 workers at the Gawon Apparel Co. garment factory in Kandal province’s Takhmao City protested in front of the factory yesterday after they were informed that they would lose pay for any days missed during the commune election, which takes place Sunday, union representatives said.
Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union, said that Gawon was in violation of a Ministry of Labor directive, which last month granted workers leave to vote in the elections…
Thor Sina and Dene-Hern Chen, P. 24
http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/ (Note: Infrequently Updated.)
Long hair a luxury for evictees
June 1st, 2012, The Phnom Penh Post, Land Tenure, Social Concerns
Kheng Chen had her hair cut in January and sold it to a broker for just under US$8. She isn’t happy with the close-cropped style because it makes her look older than her 48 years.
But when Kheng Chen grows her hair back in a few months, she plans to sell it again.
“Every woman loves hair, every woman wants to be beautiful,” she said. “But between beauty and having nothing to eat, which one do I need to choose?”
Kheng Chen is not alone in her dilemma. She lives in the Borei Keila community of evictees in Kandal province. They are among 133 families that were evicted in January by private security forces hired by development firm Phan Imex. …
May Tittihara, P. 6
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012060156528/National-news/long-hair-a-luxury-for-evictees.html