PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Striking workers making shoesand clothes in Cambodia for Western
brands blocked roads and brieflyscuffled with police on Friday.The workers are demanding a two-fold increase
in the minimum wage to $160.The protesters snarled traffic in and around the capital, Phnom Penh, and
blocked the entrance to the Labor Ministry.Humanrights activist Om Sam Ath said protesters blocking a
highway leadingto Sihanoukville threw stones at police, who fired into the air.He said four workers were
injured, but it was unclear how serious the injuries were.Mostof the country’s 500 factories have been
closed since Thursday, whenthe manufacturers association urged its members to cease operations,citing the
fear of violence.The garment industry employs more than 500,000 people and is Cambodia’s biggest export
earner.Companies like the country because of its low wages, but there are frequent strikes over pay and
conditions.Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rightsreserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten orredistributed.PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Striking workers making shoesand clothes in
Cambodia for Western brands blocked roads and brieflyscuffled with police on Friday.The workers are
demanding a two-fold increase in the minimum wage to $160.The protesters snarled traffic in and around the
capital, Phnom Penh, and blocked the entrance to the Labor Ministry.Humanrights activist Om Sam Ath said
protesters blocking a highway leadingto Sihanoukville threw stones at police, who fired into the air.He said
four workers were injured, but it was unclear how serious the injuries were.Mostof the country’s 500
factories have been closed since Thursday, whenthe manufacturers association urged its members to cease
operations,citing the fear of violence.The garment industry employs more than 500,000 people and is
Cambodia’s biggest export earner.Companies like the country because of its low wages, but there are frequent
strikes over pay and conditions.Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rightsreserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten orredistributed.