Factories with 100 employees urged to set up daycare centres
Factories with 100 employees urged to set up daycare centres
Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasised the need for daycare centres, stating that any factories or enterprises employing at least 100 workers are required to establish such facilities.
He made these remarks yesterday at the inauguration of a daycare centre at Marvel Garment Co Ltd, located in the Royal Group Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone in Por Senchey district.
The Prime Minister explained that the government has set a target to establish daycare centres in factories and enterprises with 100 or more employees in accordance with labour laws. From this day forward, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) is working to establish additional daycare centres.
The centres are designed for the care of worker’s children aged three months to three years. This initiative helps factory workers by providing a safe environment for their children, ensuring adequate health care and nutrition, which is essential for Cambodia’s future human capital. In addition to alleviating the burdens faced by factory workers, the establishment of day-care centres is seen as a way to support and boost labour productivity.
During a meeting with workers at the ceremony, Mr Hun Manet noted that one week after the formation of his government, he met with garment workers and introduced 10 principles for his government’s first term, one of which was to establish daycare centres in factories and enterprises.
He noted that the principle of setting up nurseries is progressing, and the MLVT will establish more centres as soon as possible.
“Our goal is that, in the future, all factories and enterprises with 100 employees or more will have a daycare centre, as outlined in the Labour Law. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak and other challenges, we haven’t been able to implement them yet. Today, we are inaugurating this daycare centre, and we hope to establish more in the future,” he said.
Article 186 of the Labour Law mandates that enterprises employing at least 100 women must set up a room for breastfeeding and a daycare centre on-site or nearby. If an enterprise cannot establish a daycare centre for children over 18 months of age, female workers may send their children to another daycare centre, with the employer covering the costs.
Mr Hun Manet encouraged the private sector to collaborate with the government in setting up daycare centres, especially in large factories with numerous employees.
He also instructed the MLVT to continue its efforts, with the Ministry of Health providing support for the initiative.
The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s policy of offering benefits to workers, including a stipend of 80,000 Riel per prenatal visit for pregnant women. Upon childbirth, a stipend of 800,000 Riel is provided for one child, 1.2 million Riel for twins, 1.6 million Riel for triplets, and 5 million Riel for quadruplets, with the support of Hun Sen, President of the Senate, and his wife, Bun Rany.
Some female workers at the Marvel factory shared their experiences with the Prime Minister, explaining that before the daycare centre was established, they had to pay someone to care for their children while they worked.
Now, with the daycare centre in place, they no longer need to pay for childcare.
According to an announcement from the MLVT, the establishment of daycare centres in enterprises and institutions ensures that infants and children receive high-quality care and education that supports their physical and mental development. These centres also provide workers with the opportunity to earn an income while their children are cared for.
Source : Khmer Timms
