Cambodia Union Leader Out of Prison, Will Continue Strike Against Casino

The leader of a workers’ union in Cambodia that played a key role in the longest strike in the country was recently released after serving her two-year prison sentence. The case involves Chhim Sithar, the president of the Labor Right Supports Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU), who was sentenced to two years in prison back in May 2023 on charges of incitement to commit a felony.

The sentence was directly related to Sithar’s participation in a massive strike against the NagaWorld casino. The strike came after hundreds of employees were terminated amid the struggles related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Leading the strike of the employees, Sithar argued that the affected people had been unlawfully terminated and demanded their rehiring.

The Union Leader Walks Out of Prison After Serving Her Sentence

On Monday this week, Sithar was released from prison after serving her two-year prison sentence. LICADHO, a human rights organization in Cambodia, confirmed the release of the LRSU leader, who was released around 4:30 AM Monday. According to the organization, Sithar was taken home by officials from Correctional Center 2.

LICADHO confirmed that the LRSU helped lead the longest-running strike in the history of Cambodia. The protests did not come without incidents of violence, including physical abuse and threats. The human rights organization argued that the Cambodian government constantly strives to suppress the protests. Still, LICADHO confirmed that the strike in Phnom Penh continues.

“Sithar and other LRSU members have led the longest-running strike in Cambodian history, protesting mass layoffs at the NagaWorld casino during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite relentless efforts by authorities to suppress the strike—including sexual harassment, physical assaults, and judicial harassment—the LRSU strike continues in Phnom Penh,“

reads a statement released by LICADHO

Sithar Reaffirms Readiness to Continue Participating in the Protests

Sithar, interviewed by the Associated Press, revealed that she will continue to fight for the rights of workers at NagaWorld. LRSU’s president added that the strike will continue until the matter is resolved.

“About our advocacy fighting for union rights at NagaWorld, we will continue holding strike action until we get a solution. That’s the position we have determined since the first strike.“

Chhim Sithar, president of LRSU

Despite the threats and potential legal implications and several years passing by, Sithar admitted that some workers are yet to be compensated. “Therefore, as long as there’s no justice, our struggle continues,” she added.

Early in 2022, Sithar was arrested and in May 2023 was convicted along with other LRSU members. Last October, the country’s Court of Appeal reaffirmed the union leader’s sentence. Similarly, Cambodia’s Supreme Court upheld the prison sentence against Sithar earlier this year.