3 workers killed in Cambodia clashes

Source: Reuters

An injured garment worker is helped by his colleagues after clashes broke out during a protest in Phnom Penh January 3, 2014. At least three people were killed on Friday when Cambodian military police opened fire to try to quell a protest by garment factory workers, who were demanding higher pay, two witnesses said. Two human rights workers who witnessed the chaos said three or four protesters had been killed as security forces armed with assault rifles and pistols shot at demonstrators who hurled rocks, bottles and petrol bombs outside a factory in the capital.

Police have opened fire on striking Cambodian garment workers, killing three and injuring several more.

Shots were fired on Friday after the workers blocked a road south of the capital, Phnom Penh, and clashed with the police, eyewitnesses said.

The textile workers have been protesting and demanding the minimum wage be doubled.

Cambodia has around 500,000 workers in the garment industry, which is a key source of national income.

The workers are demanding a minimum wage of $160 (£97) a month. The government has offered an increase to around $100 (£60).

Chan Soveth, an activist from rights group Adhoc, told AFP news agency that security forces "used rifles and other things to crack down on the strikers" at Friday's protest.

Military police spokesman Kheng Tito told AFP that the police cracked down on protesters after nine policemen were injured in the clashes.

Two protesters had been arrested, he added.

On Thursday, Cambodian soldiers broke up another protest by striking garment workers, with witnesses saying some protesters were hurt.

The industrial action comes after the government faced weeks of protests demanding Prime Minister Hun Sen step down.

The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) has led rallies and strikes calling for a new election and alleging vote fraud in the last election. In recent weeks, they have been joined by the garment workers.