Union files complaint against Mfone

Cambodia’s Free Trade Union has lodged a complaint against mobile operator Mfone, alleging the operator had fired 54 workers without warning and without compensation. The Union filed the complaint with the labour ministry after it received complaints from about half the fired workers, the Voice of America writes. According to the union’s deputy secretary-general, Sam Sreymom, the workers want to return to their jobs and be paid compensation.

One of Cambodia’s most active unions has filed a complaint against a Thai mobile phone provider, claiming it laid off more than 50 staff members without warning and without compensation.

The complaint was filed with the Ministry of Labor against Mfone, a company that belongs to former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, after the Free Trade Union received a complaint from about half of the 54 fired workers.

In a letter to the ministry, the union says Mfone intends to prevent them from working, which is a breech of the labor law.

Sam Sreymom, deputy secretary-general for the union, said the workers want to return to the company. The union first needs Mfone to accept their return to work, and then to pay them according to the labor law, she said.

Labor Ministry officials could not be reached for comment. Mfone representatives could not be immediately reached for comment.

Mfone, which belongs to Cambodia Shinawatra, or Camshin, is under a 35-year lease with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, through 2028. The company last month suspended nearly 100 telemarketing staff members from work, according to company staff.