Protest For Higher Wages At Cambodian Nike Factory Leaves 23 Workers Injured

A trade union representative said that at least 23 workers "were hurt in Cambodia on Monday when police using stun batons moved in to end a protest over pay at a factory that makes clothing for Nike," according to REUTERS. Police with riot gear "were deployed to move about 3,000 mostly female workers who had blocked a road outside their factory, owned by Sabrina (Cambodia) Garment Manufacturing." According to the Int'l Monetary Fund, "clothing accounted for 75% of Cambodia's total exports" of $5.22B in '11. This month, "two workers were killed at a factory making running shoes for Asics when part of a warehouse fell in on them." Free Trade Union President Sun Vanny said that the workers making the Nike clothing want the U.S. sportswear firm, "which employs more than 5,000 people at the plant," to give them $14 a month to help pay for transport, rent and healthcare costs on top of their $74 minimum wage (REUTERS, 5/27).