The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has told workers not to worry about their seniority payments, which come into effect this year, and requested them not to pay attention to “villainous incitement”.

This came after the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) released a statement on December 18 requesting the ministry to monitor the new policy and asking union leaders to comply with the incoming law on seniority indemnity back pay.

A ministry press release obtained by The Post on Monday said employees with an undetermined duration contract will receive an annual seniority payment of 15 days’ wages and other fringe benefits. The law comes into effect on Monday and the payments will be made twice a year, in June and December.

For workers hired before the enactment of this amendment, the Ministry is to meet with employers to define a schedule to calculate seniority payments.

“In calculating the seniority wage, the Ministry would like to ensure workers’ legal rights,” the press release said.

The ministry also said it would ensure seniority payments are made to workers whose factories and enterprises have been made bankrupt or closed down.

The GMAC statement said some union leaders led their employees on strike, demanding that they provide seniority indemnity back pay once a year, which contradicts the incoming law mandating that it is paid every six months.