Phan Bory, a passionate former union leader, and fervent advocate for workers’ rights has devoted his life to empowering workers and helping them understand and claim their rights, including the right to social protection.  

A former Central for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL) supported union leader at Y&W Garments Co. Ltd. Bory, now 33, recalls with a smile the deep-rooted passion that drove him into labor activism: his strong desire to support others, advocate for labor rights and spread awareness of the importance of unions. For Bory, the path to labor activism was fueled by compassion and a sense of duty. “I want to make myself resilient,” he explains. “When I am resilient, I can help other union workers. I am trying to help as much as I can,” he said.

In 2021, he attended protests outside local factories and saw firsthand the challenges faced by workers who were unaware of their rights. This experience prompted him to connect with CENTRAL, a Cambodian organization that advocates for fair treatment and protections for workers. “After I saw this [that many workers did not know their rights], I really wanted to do something to help them because they were seeking assistance and they needed someone to empower them on the rights in their workplace,” Bory said.

His commitment only grew as he learned more through CENTRAL, and soon, Bory took on a leadership role within the factory union. This involvement opened doors for him to participate in the FIRST project, a joint initiative by CENTRAL and Oxfam financially supported by the European Union that aims to increase social protection awareness among unions and workers. “After I got to know CENTRAL and the work they do, I became a leader of the factory union, which gave me the chance to be involved with the FIRST project to educate unions and workers on social protection, including awareness of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) scheme.”

Through his work with the project, Bory not only learned about social protection policies, but also gained tools to educate and support his fellow workers. However, his journey was not without obstacles. He recalls the difficulties in promoting awareness, as many workers were initially skeptical of the NSSF and unsure of its relevance to their lives. “Some workers do not understand it [social protection] and think it is of no importance to them,” he explains. There were other challenges within the workplace itself. “Another thing is with the workplace. When fellow workers engage with union leaders, they face criticism from their supervisor and employer,” he added. 

Despite these setbacks, Bory’s determination was strong. He found ways to connect with workers, build trust and encourage union workers to enroll in the NSSF program. He shared his knowledge with fellow workers and employees on NSSF principles, the process for requesting benefits, and the importance of resolving disputes over their rights with the NSSF.

“After we saw that most of the union members did not understand the benefits or know the process of accessing them, we did a lot of activities, such as trainings and meetings, and we explained and informed them on how to exercise their rights,” he said.  

Determined to fulfil his mission, Bory began organizing weekly meetings to disseminate information, using social media platforms, such as Telegram groups to reach a wider audience. Each time he received news, important updates or information, he would call for a meeting to ensure his members stayed informed.

During Bory’s tenure as union leader, his most important success was negotiating legally entitled compensation for the union members after his factory closed down. In early 2024, when Y&W Garments Co. Ltd, abruptly shut down, leaving thousands of workers without their final pay, Bory stepped up to negotiate on their behalf. His persistent advocacy led to a breakthrough, securing legally entitled compensation for 3,753 workers, including their last month’s salary and severance pay. This achievement stands as a testament to Bory’s commitment to and his ability to effect change.

Looking forward, Bory is hopeful. He envisions a future where more workers are informed about their rights and feel empowered to claim them. “Even now, union awareness about the NSSF and labour rights is limited”, he says, “but I believe the situation will improve if relevant sectors come to the table and make trainings more widely available.”

Through his strength and commitment, Bory Phan has become a beacon of hope for his fellow workers, helping them realize the power that lies within their rights and in their collective voice.