Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Heng Sour announced plans to build on last year’s achievements, outlining key areas for progress by the close of 2025. 

His remarks came during Prime Minister Hun Manet’s meeting with over 10,000 workers in Bak Khlang commune, in Koh Kong province’s Mondul Seima district on January 8.

“I’d like to update you on the ministry’s four key initiatives scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. Over the next two years, our primary focus involves establishing nurseries and community kindergartens in factory areas. We’ve crafted support mechanisms and are set to meet with employers to discuss this in early March this year,” he said.

The ministry is drafting a letter seeking collaboration with the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) to engage with owners of different special economic zones (SEZs). This aims to foster mechanisms that encourage and support the establishment of childcare and early childhood education within these establishments.

Sour added that the second focus involves enhancing existing factory dining areas and establishing new ones for newly-built factories. The ministry will collaborate with the Ministry of Land Management and Urban Planning, the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, and the CDC to establish standards for these new factory facilities.

“The third focus is collaborating with stakeholders to explore ways to improve workers’ transportation methods, making them more comfortable and aligned with established standards by 2027. The labour ministry will engage in discussions to present the best options for workers, employers, truck owners and drivers,” he said.

The fourth priority is promoting a skills testing programme, providing workers both at home and abroad with an opportunity to register for the test and receive a certificate recognising their abilities and skill levels.

Prime Minister Hun Manet also noted the labour ministry’s commitment to continuing the four-point plan over the next two years, saying various points are slated to be implemented soon. This commitment extends across all national and sub-national institutions, aiming to enhance the overall quality of people’s lives.

“The first phase of the government’s Pentagonal Strategy outlines policies aimed at serving the people and enhancing their livelihoods. Our goal is to improve the well-being of our citizens,” Manet said.

He urged ministries and institutions to persist in efforts to establish community nurseries and kindergartens near workplaces, aiming to alleviate challenges, particularly for workers from the provinces.

“We’re doing our best. It’s impossible to cover everything in a year, given the numerous locations nationwide. We’ll do what we can and strive to do even more,” he said.

The prime minister also directed the labour ministry, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and stakeholders to progressively improve worker transportation for enhanced safety.

“In the last four months, every relevant ministry has been actively engaged. Contrary to assertions that the government has been inactive, we are proud of our effective policies and substantial achievements,” he said.

The gathering in Koh Kong province marked the 11th such occasion and the first meeting of the year for Manet to directly engage with workers from different factories and manufacturing enterprises.

Manet said government policies have spurred the establishment of factories and enterprises across the countries, generating employment opportunities for citizens.

In 1997, there were merely 64 factories with approximately 80,000 workers, as per a labour ministry report. Fast forward to December 2023, and the numbers surged to 40,840 factories employing around 1.7 million workers, it noted.