Woman Killed in Cambodia Worker Protest

Cambodian activists say a woman was shot dead Tuesday during clashes between riot police and a group of striking garment factory workers in the capital, Phnom Penh.

Officials from the rights group Licadho say at least five protesters were also wounded by gunshots when police launched what they called a "cruel crackdown" on the protest.

Hundreds of workers from the Singapore-owned SL Garment Processing (Cambodia) Ltd. factory were attempting to march to Prime Minister Hun Sen's house to demand better working conditions and pay.

Witnesses say the demonstrators threw rocks and lit a police car on fire as police responded with water cannons, tear gas and live ammunition. Activists say the woman killed was selling rice on the roadside.

Police, who were said to have arrested at least a dozen people, have not commented on the incident.

There have been increasing complaints about low wages and harsh conditions in Cambodian factories, leading to several recent protests and strikes by angry workers.

SL Garment Processing makes clothing for Gap, H&M, and other global brands.