Arrest, detention and prosecution of striking Casino workers

Between 31 December 2021 and 4 January 2022, twenty-nine members and activists of the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU) were arrested. They were placed under pretrial detention pending trial. Those arrested included the union chair, Chhim Sithar.

The NagaWorld casino workers had been on strike since 18 December 2021 in protest against mass layoffs and to demand a proper compensation page. The casino had announced its plans in April 2021 to lay off 1,329 workers, of whom 1,100 were trade union members, claiming financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the union pointed out, the casino had actually made large profits and was going ahead with plans for a new US$3.5 billion casino complex.

Over 1,000 workers joined the strike, which took the form of peaceful sit-ins outside the company premises. The union made every effort to negotiate a solution, but management refused to talk and even failed to attend a mediation session convened by the Ministry of Labour.

On 31 December, police raided the LRSU’s office, confiscating union documents, computers and mobile phones. Nine people were arrested.

A further 17 arrests were made on 3 January followed by three more on 4 January, including the arrest of the LRSU president, Sithar Chhim, who was forcibly dragged from the picket line and into a police car.

By February, eight of those arrested remained in detention, namely the union chair Chhim Sithar; union secretary Chhim Sokhorn; union advisor Sok Narith; and union activists Ry Sovandy, Sun Sreypich, Hai Sopheap, Klaing Soben, and Touch Sereymeas. They were denied pretrial release and said that they did not have enough water and were not allowed to contact their families. They were charged with incitement, which carries a sentence of up to five years in prison.

More arrests were made on the picket line in February.