"Garment workers express mixed feelings over bi-weekly wages", 16 January 2019

..., Labour Minister Ith Samheng issued a directive for all owners of enterprises and establishments to pay wages to their workers two times per month, a move aimed at the garment industry.

Chab Sokrith, 24, a team leader at Yi Guang International factory in Kampong Speu province ..., says his factory has announced it will pay the first instalment on January 25 and the second on February 10...

“I do not know the wage payment arrangement in other factories, but ...,” he says. “The workers agreed to this.”

Mr Sokrith says that before the new directive, the workers often received their wages between the 8th and 10th of each month.

“The workers did not object to the new directive on twice-monthly wage payments ...,” Mr Sokrith says. “For me, I do not worry about spending for daily needs when my wage is paid twice per month because my wife and I know how to manage our budget.”

“However, I worry whether some workers who have loans with banks can keep some money back to meet their monthly repayments when their salary is divided into two,” he adds.

..., Khuth Sreylin, 36, a garment worker in a factory in Chak Angre Krom commune, says that the first instalment of her wages will also be paid on January 25.

“I do not know how I will be able to manage my spending yet because I have not yet got the wages for this month,” she says...”

Ms Sreylin says however that she thinks the twice-monthly wage payment will be better than the previous arrangement because she will get faster access to her money without having to wait until the end of the month...

..., the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia signed an agreement with Acleda Bank Plc for a payroll scheme for garment, shoes and bag factory workers nationwide.

Van Sou Ieng, GMAC chairman, said at the time that since all factory owners are to pay wages twice a month starting from January 1,...

Far Saly, National Trade Unions Coalition president, says that he supports the government and Labour Ministry on the twice-monthly wage payment arrangement but ...