Union leader Chanthorn Pen recounted her experience of unfair dismissal, which fueled her passion to fight for her coworkers’ rights. Over three dedicated years, Chanthorn Pen successfully registered about 600 factory workers with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). She actively advocated for greater awareness of NSSF’s benefits, urging support from non-governmental organizations and NSSF itself to reach more workers, as only half of the factory workers were aware of their membership rights and entitlements.

Working at a glass manufacturing factory in Siem Reap since 2019, Chanthorn noticed that only a small fraction of the workforce—around 40 of 600 employees—had NSSF memberships. Seeing this gap, in 2021 she formed a union to push for broader NSSF enrolment. After receiving training from the FIRST project implemented by the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL) and Oxfam with financial support from the European Union, Chanthorn equipped herself with essential knowledge and skills to guide her fellow employees.

Her efforts paid off when she successfully registered all 600 factory workers for NSSF membership, a moment she recalled with a proud smile. Chanthorn soon realized that many workers remained unaware of their rights. Despite the training and awareness raising, Chanthorn believed that there were still many more people who were not aware of social protection.

“Only five out of ten people know about the benefits of NSSF,” she said. “When some NSSF members are sick, they spend their own money on medical treatment instead of accessing their NSSF benefits,” she added. “Some factory workers reached out to me when they were in need of medical treatment asking how to use NSSF cards,” said Chanthorn. She patiently guided them, explaining how to use their cards for medical expenses rather than paying out of pocket.

Chanthorn found the motivation to demand that the factory register all workers for NSSF memberships once she realized it was the employer’s legal responsibility. She first gathered union members to organize a collective request for NSSF enrolment. “I collected the names of employees without NSSF memberships and submitted them to the factory, requesting that they be registered with NSSF,” she said.

When this request was ignored, the union members, with support from CENTRAL, filed a formal complaint with the NSSF. The complaint led to a $10,000 fine for the factory, which angered management. In response, Chanthorn recalled that factory managers began making things difficult for the union. “There have been threats from factory managers and the human resource department since 2022. By 2023, I was fired,” she said.

In response, factory workers protested against her firing, leading to negotiations with the factory. Ultimately, she was reinstated, vindicated by her adherence to labor laws. “The company was unsuccessful in trying to expel me from the factory because I did not commit any act in violation of the labor law,” she said.

Chanthorn’s advocacy also extended to securing fair wages. When she started in 2019, the factory paid her below minimum wage, a situation she fought to change. “I started working in 2019, but it was not until 2021 that the factory paid me the minimum wage,” she said. Thanks to union efforts, the factory agreed to pay the garment workers the minimum wage. This change ensured broader benefits, including paid maternity leave at 70% of regular wages.

Looking back, Chanthorn’s journey was a story of resilience and dedication to her peers’ rights. Her advocacy continued to inspire a stronger sense of unity and awareness among factory workers, one that pushed for fair treatment and rightful access to labor protections.