
Phnom Penh (VNA) – About 130 garment factories in Cambodia havesuspended operations due to a sharp decline in purchase orders caused by theCOVID-19 outbreak, according to Spokesperson of the Cambodian Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training Heng Sour.
Speaking at a press conference on April 27, Heng Sour said the situation isaffecting about 100,000local workers.
To assist local workers affected by the pandemic, Cambodian Prime Minister HunSen has announced a support policy under which every employee of the closed factoryis provided with a subsidy of 70 USD per month, including 30 USD from theiremployers.
According to data from the Cambodian Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Southeast Asian country is home to 1,099 factories operating in textiles, footwear and handbag industries. Garment is one of the biggest exports of Cambodia.
The Health Ministry of Cambodia on the same day reported that the country had recordeda total of 122 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 119 patients cured./.