By Soklin

When JS Corp Phnom Penh abruptly shut its doors in October 2024, leaving over 1,000 workers without jobs or compensation, I knew I couldn’t stay silent. As a former worker and vice union leader, I had witnessed years of dedication and hard work from my fellow workers, only to see it all erased in an instant. This is my story—a story of resilience, injustice, and an unwavering fight for what’s right.

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My name is Soklin, I am a 26-year-old mother of two and former worker at JS Corp, Phnom Penh. I grew up as the youngest of four siblings in Kandal province, while my parents ran a small business in Phnom Penh. My childhood was anything but stable—we moved frequently between the city and the province, which disrupted my education. By the time I was 17, I couldn’t keep up with my lessons and had to leave school.

A year later, I got married and soon became a mother to my first daughter. My husband’s income alone wasn’t enough to support our growing family, so when my daughter turned four, I decided to take a job in a garment factory. In 2018, I joined JS Corp Phnom Penh as a sewing assistant.

At the factory, I quickly gained a reputation for standing up for workers’ rights, which led to me becoming the vice union leader. For six years, I dedicated my time not just to my work, but also to advocating for fair treatment for all employees.

But in October 2024, everything changed. JS Corp Phnom Penh abruptly closed without any warning. The news hit me like a shockwave. Just weeks before, the factory had hired 200 daily workers and had nearly all employees working overtime for two straight months. None of it made sense. Something felt deeply wrong, and I couldn’t ignore the fact that over 1,000 workers, including myself, had been left with nothing.

When I tried to reach out to the employers, they simply claimed bankruptcy and directed me to another operational branch. But I couldn’t accept their excuses. I knew the devastating impact this closure would have on the livelihoods of so many workers. That’s when I decided to take action.

I began gathering evidence, listening to the stories of my fellow workers, and documenting everything I could. I sent this evidence directly to GAP, one of the major buyers of JS Corp’s products, hoping they would step in to address the injustice. But months later, I’m still waiting for a response.

The factory’s closure has put me in a difficult situation. I’m now burdened with mounting debt, and while I’m eligible for USD 1,000 in compensation, it’s a fraction of what I could have earned if the factory had continued operating legally. This financial loss has been devastating not just for me but for all the other workers who trusted in the stability of JS Corp Phnom Penh.

Despite everything, I haven’t lost hope. I’m still fighting for justice, not just for myself but for the hundreds of workers who were exploited and abandoned without proper compensation. I believe that GAP should take responsibility and recognize our struggle.

I refuse to stay silent about what happened. My story is not just about loss—it’s about resilience and standing up for what’s right. Until justice is served, I will continue this fight.

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Soklin’s story is part of ‘Labour Sheroes,’ an initiative under the 16 Days of Activism campaign by Asia Floor Wage Alliance. Through this series, we share the stories of women garment workers from South and Southeast Asia who are breaking barriers, fighting against workplace violence and harassment, and leading the change for better working conditions in the global garment industry.