Prime Minister Hun Manet addresses the opening ceremony of the 2025 Social Protection Week on February 20. STPM
Prime Minister Hun Manet has highlighted the positive results of the Kingdom’s social protection system, which has contributed to reducing poverty and improving the livelihoods of vulnerable citizens, enabling them to lead more stable and prosperous lives.
He noted that the significant reduction in poverty rates has allowed many previously impoverished individuals to achieve a middle-class standard of living.
Speaking at the launch of the Cambodia Social Protection Week 2025 and the official announcement of the 2024-2035 Social Protection Policy Framework on the morning of February 20, Manet emphasised that the social protection system is not designed to keep citizens perpetually dependent on government assistance, as some critics have claimed.
Instead, it aims to support people during difficult times, helping them regain their footing and become self-reliant.
He explained that, in addition to receiving free medical treatment, beneficiaries of the social protection system also receive training to enable them to secure employment.
"This is a tangible result of poverty reduction efforts, addressing the question of where the poor have gone. Before, after the war and after the victory achieved through the Win-Win policy, poverty rates were around 40 per cent or somewhere over 30 per cent.
“Later, we managed to reduce it to below 10 per cent, though there may have been a slight increase after Covid-19,” the prime minister conceded.
“Where have they gone? They haven't disappeared or been excluded from the population count. Instead, they have transitioned from a state of hardship and deprivation to having average incomes, with some even achieving a more comfortable standard of living. This is the outcome of our assistance,” he added.
Manet illustrated this transformation with the example of a family from Oddar Meanchey province. Previously classified as vulnerable an holding an ID Poor card, the family's economic situation has improved over the years, allowing them to purchase a tractor and two more walk-behind tractors, he explained.
He noted that such progress sometimes leads to misconceptions, with some accusing the government of giving poverty cards to the wealthy.
To address this, the government has established a system to reassess the status of ID Poor card holders.
The prime minister also encouraged citizens using equity cards or social protection cards to report any instances where medical staff fail to provide proper care.
He emphasised that medical professionals must adhere to ethical standards, treating all patients equally and providing the necessary care.
“The value of the social protection programme is not measured by the budget we spend but by the real impact on the beneficiaries. Therefore, ensuring service quality is essential. Quality service means effective treatment, proper medication, adequate equipment and suitable facilities,” he said.
Manet also pointed out that government spending on social protection has increased, coinciding with a decline in state revenue due to numerous concessions granted to the private sector. However, he clarified that the decrease in revenue does not imply a budget deficit.
