The Ministry of Social Affairs yesterday once again called on the Kingdom’s employers to hire the disabled, something mandated in a widely ignored 2010 sub-decree.

“In Cambodia, the disabled are at risk of poverty and unemployment. And even when they are employed, their jobs are often low-paid and dangerous,” Em Chan Makara, secretary-general of the ministry’s disability action council, told a capital workshop. “That’s why we want to urge everyone to give disabled people an opportunity.”

According to the six-year-old sub-decree, state-run institutions must employ one disabled person per every 50 employees, while private companies are obligated to employ one disabled person per 100.

Still, experts say the government lacks the mechanisms to enforce the sub-decree.

“It’s already been years since the sub-decree was adopted, so if they don’t have a clear mechanism for monitoring and implementing it, and most of the private sector doesn’t understand what it’s for, then we’re not going to achieve anything,” said Ngin Saorath, executive director of the Cambodian Disabled People’s Organization, adding that sub-decrees are often seen as “only announcements”.