A UNION leader who led a long-running strike against Cambodia’s biggest casino was sentenced today to two years in prison for incitement to commit a felony.

Eight of her fellow union members received lesser terms that do not include time behind bars.

Chhim Sithar, president of the Labour Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld, has been leading a strike that began in December 2021 in protest at mass layoffs and alleged union-busting at the NagaWorld casino in the capital, Phnom Penh. 

She was convicted on a charge for leading a January 2022 demonstration of nearly 400 other dismissed employees who were demanding to be rehired.

NagaWorld, in late 2021, had dismissed 373 employees amid financial struggles related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ahead of the verdict Ms Sithar said: “I will appeal because I can’t accept the verdict and I want the international community to know of our struggle.”

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Australian Council of Trade Unions jointly called for the convictions to be quashed and Ms Sithar to be freed.

Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International’s interim deputy regional director for research, said: “The convictions of Ms Sithar and the others are a blatant attack on unions and workers fighting for their fundamental rights.”