The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and VF Corporation are urging Cambodian authorities to investigate forced labor used to produce export goods.

Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce, Sok Sopheak, chaired a video conference with AAFA and VF Corporation on March 17 to report on the situation and results of the investigation into suspected cases of forced labor to produce products for export.

The calls for investigation come after suspicions by AAFA and VF Corporation of forced labor by factories, according to the Facebook page of the Ministry of Commerce.

“In response, AAFA and VF Corporation expressed their satisfaction and appreciation for the actions of the Royal Government of Cambodia and request the Commission to further investigate the relevant companies with AAFA and VF Corporation will cooperate to provide additional information if necessary to protect the reputation of Cambodian products,” the Facebook post said.

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Sok added that Cambodia will prepare a sub-decree to improve the existing mechanism by adding detailed procedures, permanent management mechanism, responsibilities of related companies, especially sub-contracts between with the sub-contracting for commercial production.

Cambodia has a 2012 prakas on the ban of the use of forced labor to produce imported goods while the commission has been working to disseminate national and international regulations on the use of forced labor to factories to prevent the private sector from violating the law.

chhorn.raksmey@kiripost.com