The number of women entrepreneurs in the kingdom has steadily increased over the years and currently 60% of enterprises are owned by women.
Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Ith Samheng has said that more than 60% of women in the kingdom are business owners or entrepreneurs.
A US$100 million special emergency loan scheme will help SMEs and the agriculture and agro-industry sectors get through the pandemic.
These include what to do when staff test positive, how to perform risk assessment and inspections, and procedures for monitoring and evaluation.
The country has approved 195 new investment projects and 43 production expansion requests that would provide more jobs.
The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training said that out of the 17,202 people searching for employment, 4,753 people were able to secure jobs.
The government will, through the state-run SME Bank, offer US$250 million worth of loans to SMEs in the country.
As of November 30, 790 SMEs in the country have received financial support, amounting to US$99.8 million in loans.
The government would continue to provide tax preferences and subsidies to industries that were impacted severely by the pandemic.
The kingdom needs to upgrade its workforce skills, maximise youth dividend and accelerate digital transformation, said the UNDP.
All public and private institutions have begun testing employees and officials for COVID-19 after the recently concluded Pchum Ben festival.
Western buyers of Cambodian apparel and footwear goods have been urged to prod suppliers towards paying a living wage to factory workers.
All employers have been told to test staff for COVID-19 after they return to work after the three-day Pchum Ben holiday or Ancestors’ Day.
The amount is less than the US$12 hike sought for by major worker unions, and has been opposed by the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia.
Three organisations have banded together to launch an initiative to enhance financial literacy and inclusion among young entrepreneurs and SMEs.
The NGO has called on the government to better align laws and policies in key areas such as maternity leave, as well as cash and medical benefits.
Negotiations on next year’s minimum wage for workers in the garment, textile and footwear sectors are underway.
Representatives of 17 national unions have agreed to ask for a US$22.20 increase to the minimum wage for textile, garment and footwear workers for 2022.
Under the agreement, SMEs and startups in Cambodia will receive support in the form of expertise and resources.
Worker unions and labour rights groups want the minimum wage to increase from US$192 to US$200 a month.
The UNDP in Cambodia has launched the “Youth Employment Project” to upskill and/or reskill the young workforce in the country with digital skills.
The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has approved eight new projects worth US$71.4 million expected to create over 9,500 jobs.
Marital status is the most important determinant of women’s employment., with those who are married 38% less likely to be in paid employment.
Employees in the garment and tourism industries whose employment contracts have been suspended can expect cash subsidies.
To effectively contain the spread of COVID-19, companies and private enterprises should equip themselves to do testing by themselves.
These are workers who were not able to work due the lockdown, and each will receive about US$40 as part of the social assistance programme.
6,500 workers have received special and been awarded with a dedicated technical and vocational certificate, in preparation for re-employment.
A statement has been issued to all factories and enterprises mandating that workers be given a paid day off in order to get vaccinated.
The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has clarified that factories cannot force workers to be vaccinated in order for them to return to work.
The government’s subsidy programme has disbursed US$24 million to pregnant workers since its launch in January 2018.
