"Parliament urged to share draft of Social Security Law", 19 September 2019

A dozen civil society groups ... sent a letter to National Assembly president Heng Samrin requesting that he release the full draft of the Social Security Law so it can be reviewed by NGOs before being adopted.

The groups, including Central, Comfrel and the Cambodian Food and Service Workers’ Federation, said civil society organisations have not yet been fully consulted over the incoming law.

“Although in the past union reps were invited to take part in discussions, they were not fully presented with documents so that a review could be conducted thoroughly,” they said in the letter. “The government institution in charge of this legislation also did not present the full draft of documents to civil society, unions, farmers, informal workers, civil servants, and other relevant parties so that they could understand and consult it fully.”...

Tuy Sythieng, secretary-general of CFSWF, ...said civil society groups must understand the articles proposed in the draft.

“We want the president of the National Assembly to provide the latest draft and make time to fully discuss it with us,” Ms Sythieng said. “We also ask the National Assembly to accept our comments as unions and associations because we work closely with workers to ensure the law will be highly effective.”

Leng Peng Long, spokesman for the National Assembly, ... said he has not yet received the letter.

Mr Peng Long said the draft law is currently in the hands of the Commission on Health Care, Social and Veterans’ Affairs, Youth Rehabilitation, Labour, Vocational Training and Women’s Affairs, noting it should handle the request...