Cambodia: Workers make history, form unions in brick kiln industry

BWI’s Cambodian affiliate, the Building and Wood Workers’ Trade Union Federation of Cambodia (BWTUC) made history on 30 August when it successfully formed the first ever local trade unions in the country’s challenging brick kiln industry. 

Through democratic  elections, four trade unions were built, with women workers comprising 75 percent  of leadership positions.

According to BWTUC, child labour and debt bondage are some of the major issues faced by Cambodia's brick kiln industry. Through its historic success in the formation of unions in the industry, BWTUC asserted that it will deliver badly needed services and programs to workers and their families.

To formalise the workers’ representation in the kilns, BWTUC is now busy preparing the registration of the said four unions.