Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Ith Samheng said a new shoe factory in Kampong Speu province’s Samrong Tong district will help improve the living standards of individuals and the community as a whole through job creation.

While presiding over its June 19 inauguration, Samheng noted that the factory, owned by All Win Shoes (Cambodia) Co Ltd, will manufacture international standard safety shoes and winter boots for export and create many jobs for the locals.

“The government’s policy of attracting investment has led to the establishment of more and more factories in the provinces, creating more jobs for local people,” he said.

The minister suggested that the company adhere to the labour laws and legal standards of Cambodia. He also asked the employees to maintain solidarity and work to maintain good relationships with each other and the factory’s partners.

“Solidarity will strengthen the harmony of industrial relations. You must work together to turn the factory into a peaceful community, with unity between workers and employers.

“There should be tolerance and education or guidance rather than dismissals, should union leaders make mistakes,” he said.

He said the government has placed a high priority on promoting economic diversification, and is continuing to work to attract more investors. This would improve competitiveness and ensure positive economic growth, as well as creating better jobs, increasing stability and inclusive incomes.

All Win Shoes CEO Hu Chaohui was quoted by the ministry as saying that the factory would produce about three million pairs of footwear per year for the US market.

Touch Ser, president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), acknowledged that the company will provide many job opportunities for workers, but also raised concerns about workers who are over the age of 30, as some factories will not employ them.

Hun Manet, a future prime ministerial candidate for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), underscored the importance of industrial relations during his recent field visits to Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kandal and Takeo provinces.

“The three important factors that promote the labour sector are quantity, quality and equity. Of course, as the guardians of the people, the government strives to fulfil many tasks, including providing support to both workers and investors.

“Attracting more investment leads to increased job creation,” he said while addressing the assembled workers, administration and section managers of factories and manufacturing enterprises from the five provinces.