Cambodian Labor Organizer Jailed for Protesting Casino Layoffs
A labor organizer from Cambodia received a two-year prison term for coordinating a demonstration against a prominent casino that dismissed employees during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Chhim Sithar, the woman in question, had been a staunch supporter of the hundreds of workers let go by the NagaWorld casino in Phnom Penh. Previously apprehended for her activism, she was detained again upon returning to Cambodia from an Australian conference.
Eight other union members also received sentences, igniting demonstrations from ex-casino staff who perceive the judicial system as a tool to suppress opposition.
This situation has garnered global scrutiny, transpiring amidst Prime Minister Hun Sen’s decades-long reign and approaching elections. Detractors accuse him of escalating authoritarian measures, including focusing on unions and activists.
NagaWorld, under the ownership of the Hong Kong-listed NagaCorp, maintains a longstanding exclusive control over gambling in Cambodia.
Although gambling venues are present in Cambodia, they largely serve international visitors because wagering is prohibited for locals. Seeking to curb unlawful gaming activities, the Cambodian authorities initiated a countrywide operation in October 2022. This endeavor proved highly effective, resulting in the shuttering of more than 90% of discovered illicit gaming establishments. The administration’s stance was unambiguous: unlawful wagering would not be permitted. They merged forceful legal measures with public information initiatives to emphasize the risks linked to gambling.
