Prime Minister Hun Sen said the government has a clear vision to ensure persons with disabilities and their families have good quality of life, with 6,652 of them currently employed by the public and private sector.
“They will also get equal rights for participation in a society that respects an individual’s rights and dignity,” he said.
Hun Sen made the statement in a letter marking the 22nd anniversary of the Cambodian Day for People with Disabilities, as well as the 38th International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Both occasions fall on December 3.
He said 2,860 persons with disabilities, including 789 women, have been employed by 40 ministries and other state institutions. Among them, 1,557 have severe disabilities.
He added that 102 business entities from the private sector have also employed 3,792 persons with disabilities. They include banks, microfinance institutions, hotels and factories.
The prime minister said the government has called off celebrations for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, both at national and sub-national level, this year due to Covid-19 constraints.
“However, as the government is committed to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, officers were assigned to visit centres and some locations for individuals with disabilities,” he said.
The government has launched a Strategic Plan on Disability 2019-2023, with a focus on increasing employment and economic security to reduce poverty among persons with disabilities.
The plan aims to promote proper employment growth, career advancement and creating jobs to improve living standards for persons with disabilities.
“I urge all relevant local authorities to strengthen the coordination of mechanisms to prevent discrimination, stigma and discrimination against persons with disabilities,” Hun Sen said.
He called on all ministries and state institutions to encourage qualified persons with disabilities to work as officials, civil servants, workers, employees, apprentices or internship trainees.
King Norodom Sihamoni also called on all people to continue their support for persons with disabilities by helping them to eliminate barriers to be independent, as well as having strong individual ownership in the society.
In a royal letter issued on December 2, the King said: “It is evident that the government is committed to serve the noble cause of supporting persons with disabilities in Cambodia. I would like to encourage the government to continue this noble activity.”
The King said the wellbeing of persons with disabilities is taken into consideration and will be a priority in emergency situations, such as natural disasters.
