Recent news from the Cambodian Ministry of Labor stated that the COVID-19 epidemic has caused severe damage to Cambodia’s garment and shoemaking industries. Currently, 15% of confirmed COVID-19 patients across the country are workers, and nearly 30% of workers are under quarantine observation.
Hing Sok, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Labor of Cambodia, disclosed to the media that day that as of the 26th, a total of 206 factories across the country had found workers diagnosed with COVID-19, with as many as 1,673 workers, accounting for 10% of the country’s total. 15% of the total number of patients. Among them, a total of 134 factories in Phnom Penh were affected by the epidemic, with 1,598 workers. As many as 170,000 workers are required to undergo quarantine and observation.
Xingsuo pointed out that the capital Phnom Penh and Dajin Ou City in Kandal Province have implemented a “city closure” ban (April 15 As of May 5), 690 factories in the region were forced to suspend operations and more than 100,000 workers lost their income. Manufacturers may also be penalized by international brands and buyers due to late delivery.
Xingsuo said that the factory environment, crowded dormitories and transportation of workers are all factors that led to large-scale outbreaks in factories. The Ministry of Labor is currently discussing with employers and labor unions to take more measures. Good epidemic prevention measures.
It is known that at present, a total of 9 districts in Phnom Penh are listed as “red zones”, some of which are areas where factories and workers are concentrated; in addition, Ansnu County, Kandal Province has recently Epidemics have also occurred in many factories. Hinsok said that the Ministry of Labor will implement a new strategy to fight the epidemic, which is to vaccinate all people in the “red zone” with the new crown vaccine, including workers.
The garment and footwear industry is Cambodia’s most important export industry, accounting for 80% of total merchandise exports and employing more than 600,000 workers. The Cambodian government has included workers as a priority group for vaccination, and will begin vaccinating workers across the country through the Ministry of Labor on April 7. About 100,000 workers are expected to be vaccinated in the first phase. </p
