Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Factories in yellow zones reopen, but not good news for all workers

Factories in yellow zones reopen, but not good news for all workers

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Garment workers stand in front of their rented apartments in Stung Meanchey III commune of Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district last week. YOUSOS APDOULRASHIM

Factories in yellow zones reopen, but not good news for all workers

At least 95 factories in Phnom Penh’s yellow zones have reopened over the past week, but workers have yet to return to work because they remained stuck in the red and orange zones, according to Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training spokesman Heng Sour.

Sour was speaking at a special May 3 forum on actions and results of measure enforcement to contain the pandemic attended by relevant ministries and institutions and broadcast on the National Television of Cambodia (TVK).

“About 15,000 workers, or 30 per cent, could return to work in their factories. But even though they have reopened, the workers could not go back to work as usual yet.”

He added that the resumption of these factories’ operations was a good sign, even as the spread of Covid-19 has not subsided. He said the 30 to 50 per cent of workers could maintain preventive health measures to slow the pandemic.

However, the remaining workers could not return because they lived in rented houses and rooms in the restricted zones and were banned from commuting even if they lived near a reopened factory.

Cambodian Labour Confederation president Ath Thon said that at this stage, there was no other alternative when the labour ministry allowed some factories to resume production. Smaller numbers of workers mean the spread of Covid could be prevented.

“If the government lifts the lockdown in Phnom Penh but continue to ban people from travelling in and out of high-risk zones, it would be okay to allow people [at lower-risk zones] to resume their businesses,” he said.

Sour said that as of April 28, the spread of Covid-19 had led to the suspension of more than 200 factories. A total of 1,673 workers had tested positive for Covid-19 and more than 10,000 had been quarantined.

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom