The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has directed owners of factories, enterprises and other companies in the capital to pay wages for the first two weeks of April and extend voluntary allowances for workers and employees affected by an ongoing two-week lockdown.
The lockdown, imposed on Phnom Penh and adjacent Takhmao town in Kandal province last week, has forced these businesses to temporarily halt operations, leading to the suspension of numerous worker and employee contracts, the ministry noted in an instruction letter.
Employers must maintain the employment and seniority of their workers during the lockdown and pay any unpaid wages for April 1-14 after restrictions are lifted.
“They have to provide their workers and employees with allowances according to their ability. This provision is based in a spirit of humanity, solidarity and social responsibility and comes during these difficult times,” the ministry said.
The ministry noted that the government has been providing workers with social support during the lockdown through the Phnom Penh Municipal and Kandal Provincial administrations.
