Source: Camboja
Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s call for ministerial intervention in the Korean-owned CIK factory dispute has renewed hope among former Cambodian garment workers who are awaiting justice after years of legal battle and court decision. The dispute with their factory owner stems from union-related dismissals and alleged labor rights violations dating back to 2017.
On January 20, 2026, Lee urged the relevant ministries in his country to intervene in the CIK factory case in Cambodia, citing unfair dismissals before the company was acquired by another entity. He said the issue affected Korea’s reputation abroad.
The case reflects broader problems from Korea, including labor law violations and union suppression.
According to past reports, Cambodian CIK workers were dismissed after forming a union to protest the firing of pregnant employees and repeated short-term contracts. They still await reinstatement despite a court ruling.
In 2017, workers So Chanthea, Keut Sokny and Tep Sreynoeun formed a union to respond to regular dismissals of pregnant workers by CIK Cambodia, which supplies international brands, including Guess, DAIZ and Bonafit.
This resulted in their termination, after which they filed a complaint with the Labor Ministry. The company claimed that the dismissal, which happened almost immediately, was “necessary” to reduce staff numbers due to declining orders.
Tep Sreynoeun, a former CIK worker, said she has been waiting for a resolution for over eight years. She said their fight for justice has finally been heard by the Korean government. Still struggling to support her family, she now works part-time at a salon near her home to cover daily expenses.
“I don’t know if we can go back to work or receive compensation after the Korean government pointed out our case. But I hope it will follow the law because no one wanted to help us before this,” Sreynoeun said.
There has been no enforcement or update since the case was heard by the Appeals Court, but news from the Korean government has raised her hope.
“Since the appeal, I have not received any update. So I just hope that those with power can help us to reach a solution. Please help us as we are struggling to survive with no regular income. If I can’t go back to work, I just hope to obtain compensation based on the law,” said Sreynoeun.
Another worker, Keut Sokny, told CamboJA News that she hopes for a positive outcome from the intervention. “Although the case has remained unresolved for more than eight years, I hold hope.”
Sokny said she is currently working in a family-run business near her home in Kambol district, putting in about 10 hours a day on a weekly-paid basis. She expects Cambodia and Korea’s Ministry of Labor to push for an end to the long-standing labor dispute.
“I am pleased to see an intervention from the Korean and Cambodian side regarding this long-standing issue. I hope they will help us obtain a result soon,” said Sokny.
Cambodia’s garment industry is the backbone of the formal economy, employing nearly one million people, mostly women. With more than 88% of the workforce in informal jobs, factory work provides some level of security.
Khun Tharo, program manager of NGO Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (Central), pointed out that the company claimed it has no money. He said whether this is true, it is likely that they “will emphasize it during meetings”, adding that it seems that the company has not fully assessed the legal issues involved.
“They [Korean government] asked the factory owner to get in touch with us but we have not received any calls or arrangements yet,” said Tharo.
Central sent an email to the Korean labor ministry with calculations of unpaid wages and court fees totalling $107,877 owed by Lim Sang Bin, the current owner of Mix & Match (formerly CIK). Lim’s wife told a representative of NGO Korean House for International Solidarity that the company lacks funds to pay the three workers.
The NGO expects the owners to ensure an effective and timely remedy. In 2024, Korean civil society groups urged the CIK management to implement the court ruling, but executives have reportedly ignored them.
Labor Ministry spokesperson Sun Mesa did not respond when contacted via Telegram and telephone at the time of publication.