Over 100 People Gather in Phnom Penh to Celebrate World Teachers’ Day
Published on 5 October 2023
More than 100 people from unions and organisations including the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA) today gathered at Freedom Park in Phnom Penh to celebrate World Teachers’ Day. The event was monitored by around 20 uniformed and plainclothes authorities, who prevented participants from marching. Participants instead remained at Freedom Park, and a representative from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport received their petition.
Many attendees held banners calling for the elimination of corruption in Cambodia’s education system, freedom of association for teachers, and an increase of teachers’ salaries and benefits. Other signs called for the release of prisoners such as the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU) President Chhim Sithar and prominent activist Seng Theary.
Participants included representatives from CITA, LRSU, the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC) and other activists. Eight speakers delivered speeches including Ouk Chhayavy, President of CITA; Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) and Vice-President of the Candlelight Party; Long Rim, CITA board member; Ath Thun, President of CLC; Mom Sovandin, LRSU member; Thon Chantha, Candlelight Party youth leader; Heng Choeurn, President of the Cambodian Agricultural Workers Federation (CAWF) and CLC member; and political activist Prum Chantha.
