A new payment system for retired soldiers in Oddar Meanchey province has resulted in late payments for nearly 50 retirees.

Government officials recently opened Acleda Bank accounts for retired soldiers, who used to pick up pension payments at the provincial social affairs department, said Mok Vanvuthy, 63.

But for the past two months, the department has failed to deposit his monthly 570,000 riel ($142.50) salary, he said. “We are poor,” Vanvuthy said, adding that he knew people who haven’t been paid in five months.

“We need to receive our salary on time to support our families.” Late payments are a clerical issue, according to provincial veterans’ affairs director Sen Kim San. But the new system is problematic for many of the former soldiers, said Srey Naren, a coordinator for rights group Adhoc.