The government has spent about $5.7 million in maternity pay for more than 58,000 workers so far this year, said a National Social Security Fund report obtained by The Post on Sunday.

The package is included in the national budget and is part of the government’s policy on social welfare.

The report showed that between January 1 and December 3, the government handed out cash to 58,698 workers who had delivered 59,135 babies during the period.

Yang Sophorn of the Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (Catu) said the workers benefited from the one-off handout to some extent, but his organisation hopes to see a more sustainable way to maintain workers’ welfare.

“[The cash] could really help the workers, but I would like the government to provide for them beyond financial assistance. We also wish the government would help not only pregnant workers but also others,” Sophorn said.

Noy Chanthorn, a 27-year old who has been working as a garment factory worker in Kampong Speu province for five years, said she received about $100 three days after the delivery of her daughter in September.

“I used the cash to buy milk for my baby. It helped a lot. I am really thankful that the Prime Minister cares about us,” she said.

Under the Kingdom’s labour laws, women are entitled to 90 days maternity leave, during which their employer pays half their wages.

In addition to the cash bonus, the workers are also entitled to 70 per cent of their wages during the same period, provided by the National Social Security Fund.