PHNOM PENH - The use of loudspeakers by garment factories to warn workers that compliance teams are about to visit is one of numerous damning claims made about Cambodia's garment manufacturing sector in a new report by Human Rights Watch. The NGO claims that the mainly female workers in the sector are being denied basic human rights and often face intimidation, forced overtime and summary dismissal in factories around Phnom Penh and other industrial zones in the country. H&M, Gap and Marks & Spencer are among the companies cited in the report, with claims made that apparel factories in Cambodia which supply these and other western brands are sub-contracting work to smaller factories which, in turn, are systematically flouting labour compliance regulations. H&M has said it will look into the abuses.
