Candle season in Cambodia, Chul Var Sar or Tean Var Sa. Cambodians respected Buddha.
This season represents the rainy season in Kingdom. Monks do not allow going outside pagodas. Monks needs to candle to light at night time. Chal Var Sa lasts for three months.
Cambodian king offered this royal candle and statue of Buddha to Kompong Speu province. the ceremony presided over by Deputy prime minister Kong Sam Ol, representative of King. ###
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
LONGHENG: Cambodia builds peace and conflict resolution for global issues
Cambodia hosts Peace building and conflict resolution in current situation of global issues
By Chhorng Long Heng
The Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) within German Konrad Adenauer Foundation on July 6 hosted in Phnom Penh the fourth open academic forum on the “role of international relations in peace building and conflict resolution” in move for contribution to build regional and global peace, strengthening security, religious harmonization and seeking ways for confliction resolution without using forces.
Klot Thida, president of The Royal Academy of Cambodia said the forum today is very crucial because it has responded to the current situation of the world which is seeking peace building, security for all humanity.
“The main purpose of this forum will collect theory, experience, analysis, mechanisms, legal procedures and other views related to peace building, security and peace keeping and international conflict resolution in contribution with the government in dealing the conflicts with the neighboring countries with effectiveness, equity, justice, and understanding,” she added.
“This will help contribution with the government in peace building and conflict resolution that are happening in region and other areas in the world,” she said.
Ms. Rabea Brauer, representative of Konrad Adenauer Foundation said at the event that peace could not deal from one side. “It needs to join from bilateral and more multi-cooperation in peace practice and the conflict factors need to demonstrate diplomatically in conflict resolution,” She said.
Dr. Sok An, deputy prime minister and minister of the council of ministers said in closing remark that Cambodia used to walk through war civil to national reconciliation with peace stability. “We have experienced in peace building and conflict resolution, contribution of peace building through sending mine cleaners to foreign countries,” he said. He added the government set up win-win policy on the national reconciliation through urging the Khmer Rouge to abandon their stronghold with providing what they have. We have tried to integrate all conflict factors in society with ensuring all members of factors with individual safety and families, ensure land for growing crops and properties and their careers,” he added.
He also highlighted that matters from dealing tension with Thailand in listing Preah Vihear temple and border without using forces but we used international law through French-Siam treaty in 1904-1907. I believed that resolution through international law and diplomacy is the best choice for solving international confliction because this is a way that could ensure sustainability of peace, and prosperity as the UN adopted,” he stresses.
He continued that the international relation institute of RAC must continue to pay attention on the development of regional and global policy especially role of super powers such as the U.S. EU, China, and Russia that are the main factors for international relation and global stability. “Furthermore, international relation institution of RAC must study, analyze, evaluate the foreign polices of neighboring countries with Cambodia including foreign polices of Cambodia, too,” he encouraged. He added that in the next few months, the international institute of RAC with cooperation with Singaporean side will host the impact of globalization on ASEAN.
Jose De Venecia, founder and co-chairman of international conference for Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) said under the topic of role of US, EU and China for global peace: We have many regional and global issues that need to deal including religious conflicts, security, and global crisis. “The US and EU, China combined together to deal poverty, and food security. These countries and other joined together to resolve the disputed countries and turn them to development,” he added. Jose is former speaker of Philippines parliament.
Mrs. Michelle Labeen, Charge d’affaires of EU delegation in Cambodia said that today, in order to achieve peace, we need to approach underlying conflicts in a new way , and have an increased knowledge and understanding of conflicts and conflict resolution mechanism, so as to find other ways of solving problems than by threats and the use of violence. “The EU recognized its obligation towards future generation and is ready share in the responsibility for global security and for building a better world, by addressing the new global challenges,” she added.
Var Kim Hong, senior minister in charge of special mission and senior advisor to the international relation institution of RAC reported final conclusion that the forum has 17 speakers from ambassadors here, national and international guests to share views and experience, understanding with taking part over 300 national and international participants.
“This is fourth forum that organized by the international relation institution with partners in strengthening the peace building and confliction resolution in the world,” he said, adding that we also will compile all these views as document for research and study for learners. “Peace in a country will attract more investment, and contribute poverty reduction and develop the country for economic growth. Now we have peace and stability, and we are trying to turn in poverty reduction and expand further international cooperation at international stage,” he added.
###
By Chhorng Long Heng
The Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) within German Konrad Adenauer Foundation on July 6 hosted in Phnom Penh the fourth open academic forum on the “role of international relations in peace building and conflict resolution” in move for contribution to build regional and global peace, strengthening security, religious harmonization and seeking ways for confliction resolution without using forces.
Klot Thida, president of The Royal Academy of Cambodia said the forum today is very crucial because it has responded to the current situation of the world which is seeking peace building, security for all humanity.
“The main purpose of this forum will collect theory, experience, analysis, mechanisms, legal procedures and other views related to peace building, security and peace keeping and international conflict resolution in contribution with the government in dealing the conflicts with the neighboring countries with effectiveness, equity, justice, and understanding,” she added.
“This will help contribution with the government in peace building and conflict resolution that are happening in region and other areas in the world,” she said.
Ms. Rabea Brauer, representative of Konrad Adenauer Foundation said at the event that peace could not deal from one side. “It needs to join from bilateral and more multi-cooperation in peace practice and the conflict factors need to demonstrate diplomatically in conflict resolution,” She said.
Dr. Sok An, deputy prime minister and minister of the council of ministers said in closing remark that Cambodia used to walk through war civil to national reconciliation with peace stability. “We have experienced in peace building and conflict resolution, contribution of peace building through sending mine cleaners to foreign countries,” he said. He added the government set up win-win policy on the national reconciliation through urging the Khmer Rouge to abandon their stronghold with providing what they have. We have tried to integrate all conflict factors in society with ensuring all members of factors with individual safety and families, ensure land for growing crops and properties and their careers,” he added.
He also highlighted that matters from dealing tension with Thailand in listing Preah Vihear temple and border without using forces but we used international law through French-Siam treaty in 1904-1907. I believed that resolution through international law and diplomacy is the best choice for solving international confliction because this is a way that could ensure sustainability of peace, and prosperity as the UN adopted,” he stresses.
He continued that the international relation institute of RAC must continue to pay attention on the development of regional and global policy especially role of super powers such as the U.S. EU, China, and Russia that are the main factors for international relation and global stability. “Furthermore, international relation institution of RAC must study, analyze, evaluate the foreign polices of neighboring countries with Cambodia including foreign polices of Cambodia, too,” he encouraged. He added that in the next few months, the international institute of RAC with cooperation with Singaporean side will host the impact of globalization on ASEAN.
Jose De Venecia, founder and co-chairman of international conference for Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) said under the topic of role of US, EU and China for global peace: We have many regional and global issues that need to deal including religious conflicts, security, and global crisis. “The US and EU, China combined together to deal poverty, and food security. These countries and other joined together to resolve the disputed countries and turn them to development,” he added. Jose is former speaker of Philippines parliament.
Mrs. Michelle Labeen, Charge d’affaires of EU delegation in Cambodia said that today, in order to achieve peace, we need to approach underlying conflicts in a new way , and have an increased knowledge and understanding of conflicts and conflict resolution mechanism, so as to find other ways of solving problems than by threats and the use of violence. “The EU recognized its obligation towards future generation and is ready share in the responsibility for global security and for building a better world, by addressing the new global challenges,” she added.
Var Kim Hong, senior minister in charge of special mission and senior advisor to the international relation institution of RAC reported final conclusion that the forum has 17 speakers from ambassadors here, national and international guests to share views and experience, understanding with taking part over 300 national and international participants.
“This is fourth forum that organized by the international relation institution with partners in strengthening the peace building and confliction resolution in the world,” he said, adding that we also will compile all these views as document for research and study for learners. “Peace in a country will attract more investment, and contribute poverty reduction and develop the country for economic growth. Now we have peace and stability, and we are trying to turn in poverty reduction and expand further international cooperation at international stage,” he added.
###
Long Heng: Australians bike riders raise money for cambodian victims of human trafficking
Australian bike riders raise money for Cambodian victims for human trafficking
The Australian embassy on June 5 hosted a reception at the Australian embassy to welcome the arrival to Phnom Penh of 22 bicycle riders from Australian and the Untied States who are riding across Cambodia to raise money to promote greater public awareness of human trafficking and sexual abuse of women and children.
“These young people have been motivated to make a personal contribution to a serious global issue, many of them after reading about the heroic efforts of Somaly Mam, who is herself a survivor of sexual slavery. I am very proud of their magnificent efforts so far in raising so much money for such a worthy cause,” Ms Cochaud, Australian charge’ d’affaires said in reception ceremony inside embassy.
Ms Cochaud added that the trafficking of women and children for sexual or labor exploitation is a serious problem confronting many developing countries, including Cambodia. Australian supports several projects in the Mekong sub-region that aim to reduce the incidence of women and children trafficked and improve the protection, recovery and reintegration of women and children who have been trafficked.
Ms Cochaud highlighted that through the Australian Federal Police and Australia and AusAID, Australia has been assisting Cambodia to strengthen its legal framework to combat transnational crimes, including human trafficking, people smuggling and child sex tourism. AFP and AusAID are actively cooperating with the ministries of the interior, Justice and women’s affairs to protect victims of human trafficking and promote greater public awareness of human trafficking and sexual abuse of women and children.
Look 2 the Future’s founder, Ms Stephanie Lorenzo, a young Australian from Sydney, is participating and leading in the ride said that the two week cycling journey covering 590km through Vietnam and Cambodia was organized by “The Look 2 The Future” organization as part of its Future 10 project.
Stephanie noted that in 2009, the first future cycle had 21 riders and raised over 790,000 US dollars. This year, 22 riders have gone global and raised 150,000 US dollars to be donated Somaly Mam Foundation for a project to raise awareness about human trafficking, one of the world’s most prevalent transnational crimes.
At the reception, the Australian charge d’ affaires, Ms Fiona Cochaud and Ms Lorenzo presented, with a cheque for 150,000 US dollars from riders’ sponsor.
“We are trying to wake up raising awareness about human trafficking and stop violence on women and girls in Southeast Aia region, said Ms Stephanie Lorenzo. “We are riding under torrerial rain with hard conditions and wet. And it is very complicated but we all committed to help raise money for this work,” Stephanie added. “We are trying to make issues and urge all sides to take actions on human trafficking and protect the human rights to respect their rights,” Stephanie noted. We all condemn all kinds of human trafficking and want to see the prosecution on cases of human trafficking, Stephanie stresses.
“I hope in the next few years the situation will be better. Our commitment and project will continue to help the fund, Stephanie added. Stephanie said: project occurred after she knew girl who survived from human trafficking and that girl told me about her story. I thought that I should do something for our life to raise awareness about this matter,” Stephanie added. “We all thanked your commitment to help us and other victims especially help contribute vocational training,” said Van Sina, a senior official and victim from Somaly Mam Foundation. “Your commitment, we will not forget,” she added. ###
The Australian embassy on June 5 hosted a reception at the Australian embassy to welcome the arrival to Phnom Penh of 22 bicycle riders from Australian and the Untied States who are riding across Cambodia to raise money to promote greater public awareness of human trafficking and sexual abuse of women and children.
“These young people have been motivated to make a personal contribution to a serious global issue, many of them after reading about the heroic efforts of Somaly Mam, who is herself a survivor of sexual slavery. I am very proud of their magnificent efforts so far in raising so much money for such a worthy cause,” Ms Cochaud, Australian charge’ d’affaires said in reception ceremony inside embassy.
Ms Cochaud added that the trafficking of women and children for sexual or labor exploitation is a serious problem confronting many developing countries, including Cambodia. Australian supports several projects in the Mekong sub-region that aim to reduce the incidence of women and children trafficked and improve the protection, recovery and reintegration of women and children who have been trafficked.
Ms Cochaud highlighted that through the Australian Federal Police and Australia and AusAID, Australia has been assisting Cambodia to strengthen its legal framework to combat transnational crimes, including human trafficking, people smuggling and child sex tourism. AFP and AusAID are actively cooperating with the ministries of the interior, Justice and women’s affairs to protect victims of human trafficking and promote greater public awareness of human trafficking and sexual abuse of women and children.
Look 2 the Future’s founder, Ms Stephanie Lorenzo, a young Australian from Sydney, is participating and leading in the ride said that the two week cycling journey covering 590km through Vietnam and Cambodia was organized by “The Look 2 The Future” organization as part of its Future 10 project.
Stephanie noted that in 2009, the first future cycle had 21 riders and raised over 790,000 US dollars. This year, 22 riders have gone global and raised 150,000 US dollars to be donated Somaly Mam Foundation for a project to raise awareness about human trafficking, one of the world’s most prevalent transnational crimes.
At the reception, the Australian charge d’ affaires, Ms Fiona Cochaud and Ms Lorenzo presented, with a cheque for 150,000 US dollars from riders’ sponsor.
“We are trying to wake up raising awareness about human trafficking and stop violence on women and girls in Southeast Aia region, said Ms Stephanie Lorenzo. “We are riding under torrerial rain with hard conditions and wet. And it is very complicated but we all committed to help raise money for this work,” Stephanie added. “We are trying to make issues and urge all sides to take actions on human trafficking and protect the human rights to respect their rights,” Stephanie noted. We all condemn all kinds of human trafficking and want to see the prosecution on cases of human trafficking, Stephanie stresses.
“I hope in the next few years the situation will be better. Our commitment and project will continue to help the fund, Stephanie added. Stephanie said: project occurred after she knew girl who survived from human trafficking and that girl told me about her story. I thought that I should do something for our life to raise awareness about this matter,” Stephanie added. “We all thanked your commitment to help us and other victims especially help contribute vocational training,” said Van Sina, a senior official and victim from Somaly Mam Foundation. “Your commitment, we will not forget,” she added. ###
LONGHENG: Cambodia launches national development plan update 2009-2010
Cambodia launches national development plan update 2009-2013
The Cambodian government on July 7 launched the national strategic development plan update 2009-2013 which will serve as the fundamental policy instrument for implementation of rectangular strategic phase two in a move to boost economic growth, development of the country and conceptually responsive to current situations in the region and the world.
“We have many tasks to do including strengthen governance, fight against corruption, efficiently deliver public services and to foster a culture of transparency and accountability,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance H.E Keat Chhon said in his opening remark of the launching ceremony in Phnom Penh.
“We have to promote deeper and more comprehensive reform programs in all sectors,” he added. He highlighted that strengthening peace, political stability, security and social order to promote the rule of law, protect human rights and dignity and multi-party democracy in order to create a conducive political and social environment for sustainable development in longer term.
“The plan also focuses on promoting and maintaining a high economic growth rate and ensuring rapid poverty reduction is high priority for all government institutions. It required not only a more and the private sector, but also more effective coordination and collaboration within and across the government ministries and the development community, particularly in key are such agriculture and rural development, and infrastructure development, irrigation and water resources management and trade facilitation,” he noted. The development will be focused on enhancing the productivity and diveristication of the agriculture sector and expansion of the education, technical and vocational training, and health services in the rural areas,” he stresses. He continued that the integration of Cambodian economy is the dynamic markets within ASEAN, GMS and Cambodia-Laos Vietnam cooperation framework on roads, railways, ports and airports, private sector development and integrate informal sector both small and medium enterprises in formal economy.
He said that the national strategy development plan Update 2009-213 is issue of budget which in difficult stage. Through this NSDP update 2009-2013, the government has set a target of 6,278 million US dollars for public sector investments to implement the government’s prioritized policies for the fourth legislature of which 4, 278 million US dollars for public sector capital investment requirements, 1 billion US dollars for providing targeted support to the development and diversification of rural economies in order to alleviate poverty in rural and remote areas and to the emergency support to mitigate the adverse impact of the global financial crisis and economic downturn to the vulnerable and the poor, 500 million US dollars for expanding social sectors services to achieve Cambodian Millennium Development goals and 500 million US dollars for strengthening the capacity of government institutions to efficiently deliver the program and services.
“I think that having in hand the national strategic development plan update 2009-2013 that is disseminated today is not sufficient for the development of our nation,”he said, adding that we still have a great deal task to accomplish and we have to implement through enhancing policy coordination with community of development partners and financiers, to strengthen governance aiming at especially fighting against corruption, as well as promoting the implementation of the deeper and the more comprehensive reform programs in all sectors, in which all works must combine in an inter-connected and cross-supporting system for the goals of socio-economic development and better natural resources and environmental management.
“All relevant ministries and institutions must prepare its own sector strategic development plan or update it through reviewing all existing and new projects and programs that supported by the domestic and foreign resources in order to ensure the alignment and linkage with priorities of the NSDP updates as well as timely preparing its public investment programs and budget estimation for its own sector to put it the three year rolling public investment program,” he said.
He continued that all provincial and municipalities must update their own provincial, municipal strategic development plan and must pay attention on formulation three year-rolling public investment program in conformity with the NSDP update 2009-2013 as a tool for implementing de-concentration, decentralization and decision making on the investment proposal that set out in the organic law on administrative management of capital provinces, municipalities, districts and Khan
“I urge multilateral and bilateral development partners as well as non-governmental organization to make sure that their assistance strategic are aligned and matched with the priorities of the NSDP update 2009-2013 and their development assistance are also aligned with the public investment programs. All development partners have to confirm that resources channeling through NGOs are in line with priorities and development goals stipulated in the NSDP update 2009-2013 and those resources must be utilized in the manner of transparency and responsibility,” he stresses.
He added that the government would like all ministries and agencies, development partners who are financing any action and project to give a high priority for carrying out period monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the action and copying those reports to ministry of planning after they have been finalized. This measure enables the ministry of planning to reflect them in the overall assessment of development progress of NSDP update 2009-2013.
He also appealed to all partners for further attention to strengthen the capacity building of the officials in preparing plan, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the national plan especially officials within the ministry of planning and involved agencies.
H.E. Chhay Than, planning minister said at the event that the NSDP update 2009-2013 as the 4th social-economic development plan is another new product for the country.
“The goal is to ensure that works to be proposed by line ministries and agencies to implement these prioritized policies are prepare taking into account potential impacts of the global financial crisis and economic downturn economic development of Cambodia,” H.E. Chhay Than sadi, adding that this plan is configured the structure of rectangular strategy phase two which covers Cambodia’s social, economic, cultural, and security sectors and specific reform measures that reflected in the 24 angels of the rectangular strategy. We thanked UNFPA for their support in this ceremony.
###
The Cambodian government on July 7 launched the national strategic development plan update 2009-2013 which will serve as the fundamental policy instrument for implementation of rectangular strategic phase two in a move to boost economic growth, development of the country and conceptually responsive to current situations in the region and the world.
“We have many tasks to do including strengthen governance, fight against corruption, efficiently deliver public services and to foster a culture of transparency and accountability,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance H.E Keat Chhon said in his opening remark of the launching ceremony in Phnom Penh.
“We have to promote deeper and more comprehensive reform programs in all sectors,” he added. He highlighted that strengthening peace, political stability, security and social order to promote the rule of law, protect human rights and dignity and multi-party democracy in order to create a conducive political and social environment for sustainable development in longer term.
“The plan also focuses on promoting and maintaining a high economic growth rate and ensuring rapid poverty reduction is high priority for all government institutions. It required not only a more and the private sector, but also more effective coordination and collaboration within and across the government ministries and the development community, particularly in key are such agriculture and rural development, and infrastructure development, irrigation and water resources management and trade facilitation,” he noted. The development will be focused on enhancing the productivity and diveristication of the agriculture sector and expansion of the education, technical and vocational training, and health services in the rural areas,” he stresses. He continued that the integration of Cambodian economy is the dynamic markets within ASEAN, GMS and Cambodia-Laos Vietnam cooperation framework on roads, railways, ports and airports, private sector development and integrate informal sector both small and medium enterprises in formal economy.
He said that the national strategy development plan Update 2009-213 is issue of budget which in difficult stage. Through this NSDP update 2009-2013, the government has set a target of 6,278 million US dollars for public sector investments to implement the government’s prioritized policies for the fourth legislature of which 4, 278 million US dollars for public sector capital investment requirements, 1 billion US dollars for providing targeted support to the development and diversification of rural economies in order to alleviate poverty in rural and remote areas and to the emergency support to mitigate the adverse impact of the global financial crisis and economic downturn to the vulnerable and the poor, 500 million US dollars for expanding social sectors services to achieve Cambodian Millennium Development goals and 500 million US dollars for strengthening the capacity of government institutions to efficiently deliver the program and services.
“I think that having in hand the national strategic development plan update 2009-2013 that is disseminated today is not sufficient for the development of our nation,”he said, adding that we still have a great deal task to accomplish and we have to implement through enhancing policy coordination with community of development partners and financiers, to strengthen governance aiming at especially fighting against corruption, as well as promoting the implementation of the deeper and the more comprehensive reform programs in all sectors, in which all works must combine in an inter-connected and cross-supporting system for the goals of socio-economic development and better natural resources and environmental management.
“All relevant ministries and institutions must prepare its own sector strategic development plan or update it through reviewing all existing and new projects and programs that supported by the domestic and foreign resources in order to ensure the alignment and linkage with priorities of the NSDP updates as well as timely preparing its public investment programs and budget estimation for its own sector to put it the three year rolling public investment program,” he said.
He continued that all provincial and municipalities must update their own provincial, municipal strategic development plan and must pay attention on formulation three year-rolling public investment program in conformity with the NSDP update 2009-2013 as a tool for implementing de-concentration, decentralization and decision making on the investment proposal that set out in the organic law on administrative management of capital provinces, municipalities, districts and Khan
“I urge multilateral and bilateral development partners as well as non-governmental organization to make sure that their assistance strategic are aligned and matched with the priorities of the NSDP update 2009-2013 and their development assistance are also aligned with the public investment programs. All development partners have to confirm that resources channeling through NGOs are in line with priorities and development goals stipulated in the NSDP update 2009-2013 and those resources must be utilized in the manner of transparency and responsibility,” he stresses.
He added that the government would like all ministries and agencies, development partners who are financing any action and project to give a high priority for carrying out period monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the action and copying those reports to ministry of planning after they have been finalized. This measure enables the ministry of planning to reflect them in the overall assessment of development progress of NSDP update 2009-2013.
He also appealed to all partners for further attention to strengthen the capacity building of the officials in preparing plan, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the national plan especially officials within the ministry of planning and involved agencies.
H.E. Chhay Than, planning minister said at the event that the NSDP update 2009-2013 as the 4th social-economic development plan is another new product for the country.
“The goal is to ensure that works to be proposed by line ministries and agencies to implement these prioritized policies are prepare taking into account potential impacts of the global financial crisis and economic downturn economic development of Cambodia,” H.E. Chhay Than sadi, adding that this plan is configured the structure of rectangular strategy phase two which covers Cambodia’s social, economic, cultural, and security sectors and specific reform measures that reflected in the 24 angels of the rectangular strategy. We thanked UNFPA for their support in this ceremony.
###
LONGHENG: Cambodia's garment sector will grow about 10 per cent in 2010: official
Cambodia’s Garment Workers Get Salary Increase
Cambodia’s ministry of labor and vocational training on July 8 announced that after the broad talks with representatives of employers and workers at the ministry, the committee of advisory labor decided to increase salary for all textile, garment and shoe workers on basic salary of with 5 dollars wage rising, and 6 US dollars for living conditions’ allowances across the country, starting to implement from October 1, 2010 and it will come into force until 2014 that is the next session for reviewing agreement. .
“We have agreed to increase salary for the workers to 56 US dollars per month for fresh workers in probation term, and they get only 45 US dollars as minimum salary. At the same time, we increased salary for full membership workers to 61 US dollars per month as basic salary for all of them,” H.E. Vong Suth, minister of labor and vocational training said.
“In case, the workers have worked overtime, they will get extra and bonus money in each month from employers,” he explained. The salary that decided this time is basic salary only, and the employees who get the salary through product quantity, known as counting from product, will receive wage through obvious results that they have done. The employers need to add money to the level of 56 US dollars for a month. Currently, we have about 300,000 workers and most of them are women from rural areas. “Benefits from workers could help the living conditions of their families,” he noted.
Van Sou Ieng, president of Garment Manufacturer’s Association of Cambodia (GMAC) told reporters that our workers need to work hard for productivity chain to get more money and now this industry is so very competitive in current situation of global market.
He continued: We have 230 garment manufacturers as memberships in our association and they are following the rule of international standards. The workers need to strengthen the quality of products and work faster than before to implement purchasing order for buyers. The representatives from workers demanded salary increase too high, we as employers could not afford. “When they could not afford, they will leave Cambodia to invest at other countries,” he said. Their demand is injustice for employers,” he added. He highlighted that now; we reached to agree on the decision from government, majority from representatives of employees and employers on basic salary of 61$ per month for workers.
Meas Sophea, senior official of trade unit for commerce ministry said that we have to consider about the benefits for workers if the employers and investors left here to other countries, our workers will lay off job and they faced with living condition’s difficulties. “We also will lose benefits for workers and the benefits of country. “Some serious reaction from union leaders for increasing salary, it has made employers to go where else that they could earn from the business,” he noted. He stressed that in the sixth month of this year, garment product was exported to foreign market increase to 11 per cent; especially we exported to US markets, and EU. He hinted that purchasing order from buyers for the whole year totally will be increased about 10 per cent if comparing in 2009. The space for growing garment product for our country is only 10 per cent is very narrow; the buyers let us know. “Mostly garment product this year will go the United States , he said, adding that we still decreased if comparing with previous years. In 2009, Cambodia got 2,658 million US dollar and in 2008 for 3,158 million US dollar from garment sector.
The garment sector is in fragile situation after it is in competitiveness from other countries in global market.” he noted. “I want employers to increase more than today because food and price of house also is higher,” Yong Cheng, a garment worker at Stung Mean. Salary is very difficult for living daily,” she said. Union leaders asked for 93 US dollars per month for basic salary of garment workers. on Tuesday, thousands of workers conducted strike to demand high salary to support daily living.
##.
Cambodia’s ministry of labor and vocational training on July 8 announced that after the broad talks with representatives of employers and workers at the ministry, the committee of advisory labor decided to increase salary for all textile, garment and shoe workers on basic salary of with 5 dollars wage rising, and 6 US dollars for living conditions’ allowances across the country, starting to implement from October 1, 2010 and it will come into force until 2014 that is the next session for reviewing agreement. .
“We have agreed to increase salary for the workers to 56 US dollars per month for fresh workers in probation term, and they get only 45 US dollars as minimum salary. At the same time, we increased salary for full membership workers to 61 US dollars per month as basic salary for all of them,” H.E. Vong Suth, minister of labor and vocational training said.
“In case, the workers have worked overtime, they will get extra and bonus money in each month from employers,” he explained. The salary that decided this time is basic salary only, and the employees who get the salary through product quantity, known as counting from product, will receive wage through obvious results that they have done. The employers need to add money to the level of 56 US dollars for a month. Currently, we have about 300,000 workers and most of them are women from rural areas. “Benefits from workers could help the living conditions of their families,” he noted.
Van Sou Ieng, president of Garment Manufacturer’s Association of Cambodia (GMAC) told reporters that our workers need to work hard for productivity chain to get more money and now this industry is so very competitive in current situation of global market.
He continued: We have 230 garment manufacturers as memberships in our association and they are following the rule of international standards. The workers need to strengthen the quality of products and work faster than before to implement purchasing order for buyers. The representatives from workers demanded salary increase too high, we as employers could not afford. “When they could not afford, they will leave Cambodia to invest at other countries,” he said. Their demand is injustice for employers,” he added. He highlighted that now; we reached to agree on the decision from government, majority from representatives of employees and employers on basic salary of 61$ per month for workers.
Meas Sophea, senior official of trade unit for commerce ministry said that we have to consider about the benefits for workers if the employers and investors left here to other countries, our workers will lay off job and they faced with living condition’s difficulties. “We also will lose benefits for workers and the benefits of country. “Some serious reaction from union leaders for increasing salary, it has made employers to go where else that they could earn from the business,” he noted. He stressed that in the sixth month of this year, garment product was exported to foreign market increase to 11 per cent; especially we exported to US markets, and EU. He hinted that purchasing order from buyers for the whole year totally will be increased about 10 per cent if comparing in 2009. The space for growing garment product for our country is only 10 per cent is very narrow; the buyers let us know. “Mostly garment product this year will go the United States , he said, adding that we still decreased if comparing with previous years. In 2009, Cambodia got 2,658 million US dollar and in 2008 for 3,158 million US dollar from garment sector.
The garment sector is in fragile situation after it is in competitiveness from other countries in global market.” he noted. “I want employers to increase more than today because food and price of house also is higher,” Yong Cheng, a garment worker at Stung Mean. Salary is very difficult for living daily,” she said. Union leaders asked for 93 US dollars per month for basic salary of garment workers. on Tuesday, thousands of workers conducted strike to demand high salary to support daily living.
##.
LONGHENG: Cambodia marks world population day 2010, in 2025, cambodians will be over 17 million
Cambodia marks 21st World Population Day with focusing on women’s potential and health
Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen has send a message to join the celebration of the 21st anniversary of world population day with continuously paying attention on the women’s potential and health in families and social development.
He said that the world population day this year celebrated under the theme of Great potential for Women in development”.
“This theme is really provided the benefits and responded to the obvious activities for women both present and future in social and economic affairs. The celebration of the event will be contributed in enhancing and reminding people from all corners to continuously make efforts further for the cause of women in society and economy especially making effort to find ways for resolution related to the population growth that has affected to the development,” he said.
He highlighted that due July11, 2010, population in the whole world is about 6,855 million and will be able to rise to 7, 000 million at the end of 2011. In every second, 4-5 babies in average were born on the planet and a woman could be able to deliver 2-3 babies in average between 2005 and 2010 across the world. At the same time, the women living in developed countries had about one or two children and the women living at developing countries had 4-5 children.
He continued that within the ability to give birth, the number of babies was born estimated 130 million for each year. According to statistics, about 50 million people died of other factors including half million of women dying related to pregnancy and delivering babies in each year. Accordance with data, the population in the world every year will increase about 80 million, which are the challenging matters in the future.
He stresses that for Cambodia, the total population rose to 13.4 million in 2008 and on July 11, 2010, it will have 14.3 million with population growth rate about 1.55 per cent in each year and Cambodia families has 3-4 children in average. So, in 2025, Cambodian people could increase to 17.5 million. “We have many social issues that need to jointly deal,” he noted.
He said that women are mother of the society and are necessary resources for the process in building and developing the country. Currently, not only Cambodia but the whole world also, the contributions from women in development still have problematic questions and obviously, these issues has not paid attention on setting up millennium development goals in 2000. Especially, the women role in development turned as topic of the celebration of world population for the past three years subsequently.
He highlighted that the contribution for all people in social activities depended on the health primarily. Women has one natural duty that the men could not replace is that pregnancy and delivering and this difficulties will make women face with matter of health that demanded time, nutrition, and care properly.
"Currently, we have noted that the women actively contributed in social affairs as men did. The potential of women is valued resources for social development and freedom of expression. We have continuously supported and provided the opportunities, encouraged them to take part in national development,” he stresses.
He said that the Cambodian government also added the women issues in the national policy. As a result, number of women got the education increased from primary to higher education subsequently. Literacy rate of women from 15 years old up, it increased to 57 per cent in 1998 and 71 per cent in 2008.
"We also reformed administrative authorities with appointing women for positions from grass root level to senior positions like lawmakers, senators and urged them to take part for political and social affairs for serving the country and expressed their voice,” he explained. The theme this year also will contribute to developing human resources and fostering the economic and social development and reducing poverty as quick as possible,” he emphasized. ###
Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen has send a message to join the celebration of the 21st anniversary of world population day with continuously paying attention on the women’s potential and health in families and social development.
He said that the world population day this year celebrated under the theme of Great potential for Women in development”.
“This theme is really provided the benefits and responded to the obvious activities for women both present and future in social and economic affairs. The celebration of the event will be contributed in enhancing and reminding people from all corners to continuously make efforts further for the cause of women in society and economy especially making effort to find ways for resolution related to the population growth that has affected to the development,” he said.
He highlighted that due July11, 2010, population in the whole world is about 6,855 million and will be able to rise to 7, 000 million at the end of 2011. In every second, 4-5 babies in average were born on the planet and a woman could be able to deliver 2-3 babies in average between 2005 and 2010 across the world. At the same time, the women living in developed countries had about one or two children and the women living at developing countries had 4-5 children.
He continued that within the ability to give birth, the number of babies was born estimated 130 million for each year. According to statistics, about 50 million people died of other factors including half million of women dying related to pregnancy and delivering babies in each year. Accordance with data, the population in the world every year will increase about 80 million, which are the challenging matters in the future.
He stresses that for Cambodia, the total population rose to 13.4 million in 2008 and on July 11, 2010, it will have 14.3 million with population growth rate about 1.55 per cent in each year and Cambodia families has 3-4 children in average. So, in 2025, Cambodian people could increase to 17.5 million. “We have many social issues that need to jointly deal,” he noted.
He said that women are mother of the society and are necessary resources for the process in building and developing the country. Currently, not only Cambodia but the whole world also, the contributions from women in development still have problematic questions and obviously, these issues has not paid attention on setting up millennium development goals in 2000. Especially, the women role in development turned as topic of the celebration of world population for the past three years subsequently.
He highlighted that the contribution for all people in social activities depended on the health primarily. Women has one natural duty that the men could not replace is that pregnancy and delivering and this difficulties will make women face with matter of health that demanded time, nutrition, and care properly.
"Currently, we have noted that the women actively contributed in social affairs as men did. The potential of women is valued resources for social development and freedom of expression. We have continuously supported and provided the opportunities, encouraged them to take part in national development,” he stresses.
He said that the Cambodian government also added the women issues in the national policy. As a result, number of women got the education increased from primary to higher education subsequently. Literacy rate of women from 15 years old up, it increased to 57 per cent in 1998 and 71 per cent in 2008.
"We also reformed administrative authorities with appointing women for positions from grass root level to senior positions like lawmakers, senators and urged them to take part for political and social affairs for serving the country and expressed their voice,” he explained. The theme this year also will contribute to developing human resources and fostering the economic and social development and reducing poverty as quick as possible,” he emphasized. ###
Monday, July 12, 2010
LONGHENG: Cambodia PM proposes emergency meeting of ASEAN to deal with swine flu
By, Long Heng
PHNOM PENH, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Wednesday proposed to hold an emergency meeting of ASEAN countries to seek measures against the deadly swine influenza outbreak.
"We should have an emergency meeting among the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, if possible, to take actions against the deadly swine flu," he told a student graduation ceremony of the National Institute of Education in Phnom Penh.
Thailand has to play the role of chairman for this meeting, he said, adding that currently Thailand is the chair country of ASEAN.
"We have to find measures to prevent and fight against this fast spread of pig flu," he said.
We also need to seek ways to prevent this epidemic from affecting bilateral trade among the regional countries, if it occurs in one of them, he added.
Meanwhile, the premier appealed to the local people not to panic over swine flu, as pork is still edible if properly cooked.
However, people with high body temperature must wear masks and rush to hospital, he said, adding that "Cambodia has weak facilities, but our spirit is strong."
The Ministry of Health (MoH) will require any citizen or foreign visitor, who are suspected of catching this illness, not to fly to other countries, he said.
"We will take him to hospital for treatment," he added.
In addition, the premier confirmed that there is no sign of swine flu occurrence among pigs and human beings in Cambodia, adding that the government has not adopted any ban on pork importation from its neighboring countries.
Also on Wednesday, Sem Sovan, secretary general of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries, told Xinhua that the ministry has been closely tracking the development of swine flu since it was first found in other countries.
"We selected some samples from the pig farms across our own country to test for swine flu, but up to now, we don't spot any sign of it. There are no suspected cases of swine flu on pigs in Cambodia at all," he added.
In the mean time, Ly Sovan, deputy director of the Anti-communicable Disease Department of MoH, also testified this updated information made public by the premier and the secretary general.
"At the airports, our unit is monitoring the passengers who traveled here from the affected countries," he added.
The government installed a thermal scanner at the Phnom Penh International Airport on Tuesday and another one at the Siem Reap International Airport on Wednesday.
These two terminals are the only international airports in the kingdom. A third airport is situated in Sihanouk province, but only serves domestic flights.
In 2007, over two million foreign visitors arrived in Cambodia.
On Monday, The World Health Organization (WHO) and MoH issued a joint statement late Monday, saying that "medical clinics are asked to immediately report any unusual influenza like illness cases to MoH. WHO Western Pacific Regional Office is closely monitoring the situation in the region and has activated its outbreak and emergency management protocols," it said.
In addition, "Cambodia has increased its surveillance for unusual respiratory illness in hospitals, health centers and airport," it said."While there is no vaccine against this type of influenza, there are a range of possible treatments although it is not yet clear which will be most appropriate," it said."Cambodia has prepared stockpiles of various resources, including medication to treat viral illness, and has access to additional regional supplies if required," it added.Meanwhile, according to Sok Touch, director of the Anti-communicable Disease Department of MoH, the ministry will use the existing equipment and system nationwide for combating bird flu to monitor swine flu.The ministry will cooperate with WHO to take actions on the pig-farming industry if necessary, but the very next step will focus on travelers from the infected areas, he added.
So far, swine influenza has killed 159 people in Mexico, led to68 human contamination cases in U.S., and affected altogether 23 countries in the world.
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PHNOM PENH, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Wednesday proposed to hold an emergency meeting of ASEAN countries to seek measures against the deadly swine influenza outbreak.
"We should have an emergency meeting among the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, if possible, to take actions against the deadly swine flu," he told a student graduation ceremony of the National Institute of Education in Phnom Penh.
Thailand has to play the role of chairman for this meeting, he said, adding that currently Thailand is the chair country of ASEAN.
"We have to find measures to prevent and fight against this fast spread of pig flu," he said.
We also need to seek ways to prevent this epidemic from affecting bilateral trade among the regional countries, if it occurs in one of them, he added.
Meanwhile, the premier appealed to the local people not to panic over swine flu, as pork is still edible if properly cooked.
However, people with high body temperature must wear masks and rush to hospital, he said, adding that "Cambodia has weak facilities, but our spirit is strong."
The Ministry of Health (MoH) will require any citizen or foreign visitor, who are suspected of catching this illness, not to fly to other countries, he said.
"We will take him to hospital for treatment," he added.
In addition, the premier confirmed that there is no sign of swine flu occurrence among pigs and human beings in Cambodia, adding that the government has not adopted any ban on pork importation from its neighboring countries.
Also on Wednesday, Sem Sovan, secretary general of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries, told Xinhua that the ministry has been closely tracking the development of swine flu since it was first found in other countries.
"We selected some samples from the pig farms across our own country to test for swine flu, but up to now, we don't spot any sign of it. There are no suspected cases of swine flu on pigs in Cambodia at all," he added.
In the mean time, Ly Sovan, deputy director of the Anti-communicable Disease Department of MoH, also testified this updated information made public by the premier and the secretary general.
"At the airports, our unit is monitoring the passengers who traveled here from the affected countries," he added.
The government installed a thermal scanner at the Phnom Penh International Airport on Tuesday and another one at the Siem Reap International Airport on Wednesday.
These two terminals are the only international airports in the kingdom. A third airport is situated in Sihanouk province, but only serves domestic flights.
In 2007, over two million foreign visitors arrived in Cambodia.
On Monday, The World Health Organization (WHO) and MoH issued a joint statement late Monday, saying that "medical clinics are asked to immediately report any unusual influenza like illness cases to MoH. WHO Western Pacific Regional Office is closely monitoring the situation in the region and has activated its outbreak and emergency management protocols," it said.
In addition, "Cambodia has increased its surveillance for unusual respiratory illness in hospitals, health centers and airport," it said."While there is no vaccine against this type of influenza, there are a range of possible treatments although it is not yet clear which will be most appropriate," it said."Cambodia has prepared stockpiles of various resources, including medication to treat viral illness, and has access to additional regional supplies if required," it added.Meanwhile, according to Sok Touch, director of the Anti-communicable Disease Department of MoH, the ministry will use the existing equipment and system nationwide for combating bird flu to monitor swine flu.The ministry will cooperate with WHO to take actions on the pig-farming industry if necessary, but the very next step will focus on travelers from the infected areas, he added.
So far, swine influenza has killed 159 people in Mexico, led to68 human contamination cases in U.S., and affected altogether 23 countries in the world.
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