Waste management company Cintri yesterday called for Phnom Penh residents and businesses to take particular care of how they deal with trash during next week’s Pchum Ben holiday, as more than 60 percent of the garbage collectors will be on leave for three days.

Meas Saron, an assistant to the executive director of Cintri, said that the company is complying with a Ministry of Labour order to allow workers to take leave from September 19 to September 21 for the holiday.

Saron said only 590 of the more than 1,500 garbage collectors would work on those days, adding that the remaining workers had volunteered over the holiday.

He explained that those who work over the holiday will be paid up to 50,000 riels, or around $12.36, extra each day, and will be able to take a three-day holiday later in the year.

He also appealed to the public to do its part to maintain the hygiene of the capital.

“We strongly believe that the people, business owners and local authorities will jointly clean the city by packing and keeping trash properly and orderly,” he said.