Cambodia lifts ban on foreigners filling jobs in the informal sector

[misskit]

The Labour Ministry has revoked its recent ban on foreign nationals from working as taxi drivers, street vendors and a handful of other jobs in the informal sector.

Labour Minister Ith Samheng in a statement on Saturday said the ban issued in August no longer applies and it was business as usual for those who were affected.

“[The lifting of the ban] is due to a demand for foreign expertise in the service sector and in order to encourage investment to Cambodia,” he said. “Because of this, the ministry has decided to allow foreign nationals to be employed in any industry and also to be self-employed.”

In August, Mr Samheng issued the directive banning foreigners from doing some jobs, including being tuk-tuk drivers, truck drivers, barbers, masseuses, hairdressers, goldsmiths, shoe shiners, traditional instrument sellers, Buddha statue sellers, souvenir sellers and mechanics.

He explained to Khmer Times at the time that self-employed persons referred to those who work and derive income on their own.


“Those who fail to follow the directive will face punishment under the Labour Laws,” Mr Samheng had noted.


Ath Thorn, president of Cambodian Labour Confederation, yesterday said he was very surprised that the ministry had rescinded the ban and allowed foreign nationals to resume informal jobs.


“So far, we have seen that foreigners have taken some informal jobs away from our people, depriving many poor Cambodians of their livelihoods,” he said, noting that CLC wants the ministry to explain why it lifted the ban.

Vorn Pov, president of Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association, yesterday said that he was really puzzled over why the ministry is allowing foreigners to run small businesses or be self-employed again.


“I am so disappointed with the ministry for reopening such opportunities for foreigners. I do not support the minister’s reason that it is in order to attract more investment,” he said. “All these types of jobs are not bringing in investment.”


Mr Pov noted that Cambodian workers in the informal sectors will lose their jobs and income because of the ministry’s move.


“The change in policy is too quick. The results of the ban have not been seen yet and now it has been lifted,” he said. “I request Labour Minister Ith Samheng as well as the government to reconsider the move in order to help our Cambodian people keep their job stability, get income and boost their living standards so that they do not have to go abroad to find work.”


According to a Labour Ministry report, there are 160,077 foreigners from 93 countries working in the Kingdom across all sectors.

More than 100,000 are Chinese, while the rest are Vietnamese, Filipinos, Thais, Indonesians, Taiwanese, Malaysians, South Koreans, Indians and Britons.






https://www.khmertimeskh.com/5064846...formal-sector/

[bowie]

Well, there ya go - Cambodia's putting out the welcome mat, fewer and fewer Thai visa extensions. There is laughter and singing throughout the Kingdom...

[TheWalkingDude]

Well, there ya go - Cambodia's putting out the welcome mat, fewer and fewer Thai visa extensions. There is laughter and singing throughout the Kingdom...

My thoughts exactly. Will be interesting to note if this boosts arrivals.

[HuangLao]

My thoughts exactly. Will be interesting to note if this boosts arrivals.

Yes, of course.
The answer to all their woes.
More disconnected Barang.

[harrybarracuda]

My thoughts exactly. Will be interesting to note if this boosts arrivals.

From China, yes.

[harrybarracuda]

The Labour Ministry has revoked its recent ban on chinkies from working as taxi drivers, street vendors and a handful of other jobs in the informal sector.

FTFY.

[panama hat]

Having seen the impact mainland Chinese have on Cambo society and the economy this is a terrible idea

[katie23]

^it's already having an impact here in PI, with the online gaming/gambling hubs sprouting up. Lots of them in various parts of Metro Manila and in various parts of the country. There's a big one now under construction in Cavite, formerly Island Cove resort. It's now renamed to something like Gaming Covelandia. Two huge buildings to house the casino and the workers. Lots of undocumented Chinese workers too. They arrive as tourists on 6-month visas, then overstay their visa and stay under the radar. Don't pay taxes to the PI govt. Their need for accoms has driven up the rent prices of condos/ apartments in the vicinity. Several issues too, regarding security (spying), loss of income due to unpaid taxes, etc. Several senators and even cabinet ministers are voicing out against the online gambling industry, but the higher up (Du30) just keeps letting them in. He's made a pact with Xi. Now (or recently) he's gone to Russia and hob-nobbed with Putin. Sigh....

OK, rant over... You guys can catch my drift...

Re: Cambodia, I guess I won't be going to Sihanoukville anytime soon...

P. S. I've rubbed shoulders with the C-workers during a recent stay at Alabang (South of Manila). There's a mall, Ayala South Park Mall, that has an online gambling hub on the 3rd floor of the building. The nearby Condo (two towers) are full of young C-workers, mostly male. They're rude, uncouth, etc. There are signs inside the elevator - no smoking and spitting, both in English & in Chinese characters. Similar situation near Mall of Asia (Bay area) - lots of condos housing C-workers. Shops in Mall of Asia have Chinese character subtitles - which weren't there in February of this year. It's happening...

[panama hat]

Du30) just keeps letting them in.

It's happening...

Money talks, but DU30 is mad as a hatter . . . and the lesser developed parts of SEAsia are ripe for the picking

[Saint Willy]

but DU30 is mad as a hatter .

Herein lies the problem.

[harrybarracuda]

John Oliver was interesting this week. He points out that because of China's "One Child" policy (and abortions and infanticide as a result), there are now 34 million chinky men than women. That it the population of a mid-sized country. Which is why there is an upsurge in people trafficking from surrounding countries as they steal women for forced marriage.

So most of these chinkies invading their Asian neighbours are most likely literally sad wankers.

[katie23]

@harry - yes, most of the C-workers that I saw were mostly male. In the mall, maybe saw 1 female for every 10 male workers. I thought of the one child policy as well - bcos of aborted girl babies, or those given up for adoption. Lots of news stories re: kidnapping of Lao, Viet women in border towns & sent to China.

Anyway, here's a short vid of a police raid on an illegal online gambling hub here. Around 80 C-workers, all male. Language is Taglish (Tagalog - English). You'll see that the set up of their office is like a call center - lots of computers.

This is the gambling hub being built in Cavite - construction still ongoing. Most of the report is in English. Island Cove resort before, now POGO Covelandia. POGO = Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations.

[harrybarracuda]