A Cambodian worker representative received a two-year prison term on Thursday for her involvement in coordinating work stoppages targeting NagaWorld, the nation’s biggest gaming establishment. The labor actions were sparked by the casino’s unwillingness to rehire personnel who were let go during the COVID-19 health crisis.
Chhim Sithar, a prominent champion for the numerous Cambodian staff members who faced job losses, was first apprehended in January 2022 close to the casino amidst a demonstration and accused of instigation. Subsequently, she was detained again in November for breaching bail stipulations after coming back from a gathering in Australia.
Following the court’s decision on Thursday, a group of former casino employees demonstrated outside the judicial building, condemning the unfairness as a correctional transport vehicle departed with Chhim Sithar.
Additional individuals affiliated with her labor union also encountered legal consequences, with three people receiving one-year probationary sentences and five others placed under judicial observation for a period of 18 months.
Advocacy organizations focusing on human rights have censured Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has governed Cambodia for over three decades and is presently gearing up for an election in July, for employing the legal framework to stifle opposition.
The NagaWorld casino is managed by NagaCorp Ltd., a company listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange that possesses a long-standing exclusive gaming license in Cambodia.
Although gambling establishments are present in Cambodia, citizens of the nation are prohibited from engaging in gambling activities within their borders. This restriction stems from legislation enacted within the country that explicitly forbids such participation. In recent times, Cambodian officials carried out a comprehensive operation targeting unlawful gambling operations, leading to the shutdown of a majority of the country’s illegitimate gaming venues. The governing body has been actively engaged in efforts to raise public awareness regarding the potential risks associated with gambling.