Phnom Penh: Workers in Cambodia’s garment, footwear, bag, and travel goods sectors form the backbone of one of the country’s core economic pillars. They deserve strong encouragement and genuine care.

Recently, an administrative manager at DC Manufacturing in Trapeang Krasang village, Pnay commune, Samrong Tong district, Kampong Speu province, insulted workers—an extremely harmful habit that must be eradicated immediately.

Insulting workers or using inappropriate language and gestures violates their honor and dignity. In any workplace, workers must be treated with respect and granted the same rights as everyone else.

Pav Sina, President of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers, called it a deeply negative example when high-ranking factory officials habitually insult workers, describing the behavior as profoundly immoral. He stressed that such habits are hard to break, and if the manager refuses to change, he should be dismissed. Without such action, nothing will improve, and workers’ morale and dignity will continue to suffer greatly.

To reduce and eventually eliminate these insults, companies should hold regular meetings between workers and administrative leaders. These meetings should focus on building trust, treating each other as partners, fostering mutual respect, and providing ethics and positive workplace-relationship training for administrative staff.

Under Cambodia’s Criminal Code, insults—whether spoken or posted—and the use of inappropriate words or gestures can constitute a crime if they damage the victim’s reputation. This applies both inside and outside the workplace: any insult causing real harm may be prosecuted.

Workers who experience insults should preserve all evidence—texts, audio recordings, or videos—to defend their rights. They can consult a lawyer or their union to determine whether the case has legal merit and file a complaint if sufficient evidence exists.

Insulting workers is never a minor issue. It can seriously harm their mental health, job performance, and reputation. Cambodian law guarantees workers the right to seek justice. Knowing their rights and obtaining legal advice are critical steps in protecting themselves from such abuse.