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Article

8 Apr 2020

Author:
Long Kimmarita, The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia: Govt. offers $70 per month for each laid-off garment worker as more factories suspend operations due to Covid-19; while workers continue to struggle

"Laid-off workers to get just $70", 7 April 2020

Prime Minister Hun Sen announced changes in the allowances for laid-off garment workers from receiving 60 per cent of the minimum wage to a flat $70 because factories cannot pay, he said.

…, the government decided that factory employers would be required to pay 40 per cent of the wages, while the government would provide the other 20 per cent of the $190 minimum wage.

The workers would receive $114 but they had an obligation to attend skills training…

The prime minister said … that the government had decided that employers would pay only $30 and the government would pay $40 instead...

“Factory owners have no ability. So now the state will release $40 while factory employers pay $30. A worker obtains a benefit of $70. Earlier, they thought they would receive more than $100. But the factories are unable to do so and cannot be forced to do so,” Hun Sen said…

Mai Chan, a worker at 7NG who was suspended from work two months ago, told … that he could not get by on 60 per cent of allowances to pay for his family and the bank, so how will he survive on only $70?...

Collective Union of Movement of Workers president Pav Sina said the government’s decision had cost workers their income.

“According to the Labour Law, the employer is duty-bound to look into the problem. But instead, the government is the one taking charge. Some factories had received a lot of benefits, but are now making excuses to get away…

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