Union Leader in West Seeking Release of Jailed Activists

Rong Chhun, head of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions, is making a trip through the US, seeking support to help free 21 labor activists who have been in jail since deadly crackdowns on demonstrations in January. His visit comes as another labor leader, Ath Thun, was in Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday, facing charges of incitement for similar protests. In VOA studio in Washington, Rong Chhun told VOA Khmer 's Sok Khemara Tuesday the US is a major market for garments produced in Cambodia and a major donor to Cambodia. So he has come here to appeal for more support in gaining the release of the activists, who were calling for a raise in the minimum wage, to $160 per month.