Kampong Speu governor Vei Samnang holds a bag during his Siglo factory visit on November 3. VEI SAMNANG VIA FB
While Kampong Speu currently hosts a significant number of factories and ranks second after Phnom Penh in this respect, the province remains committed to attracting more investors to establish additional factories, thereby creating job opportunities for the local populace.
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Provincial governor Vei Samnang made the remarks after he and his team visited Siglo (Cambodia) Co Ltd, a prominent bag manufacturer located in Chbar Mon town, on November 5. The purpose of the visit was to check on workers’ welfare, engage in dialogue with factory owners about the investment landscape and understand the challenges faced by investors in the factory.
He added that the number of factories and enterprises is expected to grow in early 2024. At present, the province is home to approximately 385 operational factories and enterprises, providing employment for over 150,000 workers.
“Our administration is not worried about attracting investors; they are coming. Our concern is the shortage of labour. We currently lack nearly 10,000 workers for 2023 and we anticipate this deficit could increase even more in 2024 as new factories begin their operations,” he said.
“I would like to call on the people and students who have graduated and want to find a job, please come to Kampong Speu, a progressive industrial area that is in need of skilled people to work.” he urged.
Siglo operates two facilities within the province, employing 8,000 workers. These employees are dedicated to manufacturing lines for esteemed brands including COACH, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Fossil and Brahmin. Their production, destined for export markets such as the US, EU and Japan, has a capacity of 660,000 bags per month, according to Samnang.
Chek Borin, director of the provincial labour department, said the department has coordinated with the National Employment Agency (NEA) and district administrations to promote opportunities where workers are most required.
He noted they have been collecting statistics on local employment seekers in preparation for opening job forums, aiming to provide placement services free of charge.
“[We are] facing this labour shortage. We have frequently collaborated with the NEA to promote opportunities in our factories and enterprises. We urge [candidates] to consider Kampong Speu, where the demand for labour is high,” he said.
At present, 191 out of 385 factories in operation within the province are in the textile, garment and footwear industries, employing a workforce of over 140,000, including more than 100,000 women. By the beginning of 2024, these figures are expected to rise, necessitating the recruitment of tens of thousands more workers, according the provincial administration.
