The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training on February 4 announced a third round of government cash assistance for 5,576 laid-off workers from 42 factories and other select businesses in the garment and tourism sectors with operations suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ministry commented in a notice that the latest round would include the 64th phase of its relief package, a provision which it said is in consonance with the raft of government social assistance programmes implemented during Covid.

The notice added that the cash handouts will be paid in riel and based on how long the worker had been out of work. Those who have been laid off from seven to 10 days will receive 60,750 riel ($14.94), while those who have been suspended for 11-20 days and 21-30 days will receive $30 and $40 in riel, respectively.

The ministry said electronic payment service provider Wing will send a notification to the phone numbers of workers that are properly registered with their employers, but cautioned that the company would transfer the cash assistance back to the government if workers fail to pick it up within 10 days of receiving the notice.

The ministry told workers to bring their Cambodian national ID cards and phones to any Wing agent to receive the money, noting that there is no service charge for the transfer.

If a worker who believes they are eligible for cash assistance does not receive a message from Wing, they can contact their employers for more information or to update their phone numbers, it said, noting that it would seek to spread the word about the scheme to other workers.

The ministry noted that the 42 businesses are based in Phnom Penh, and in Kandal, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Svay Rieng and Siem Reap provinces.