Social affairs minister Chea Somethy addresses the closing ceremony of the PWDF workshop on March 15. Social Affairs Ministry
Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation Chea Somethy has directed relevant institutions to jointly study, prepare and update legal documents, and to improve facilities, to support people with disabilities, particularly in facilitating their employment.
The directive was announced at the closing ceremony of the annual meeting of the Persons with Disabilities Foundation (PWDF), held on March 15 at the ministry headquarters in Phnom Penh.
Somethy stated that diversity is a key component of the country’s long-term development vision, integrated into the social protection system.
He highlighted the establishment of the national social assistance initiative for poor and vulnerable families during economic crises and emergencies as a crucial part of the government’s six priority policy programmes, aimed at creating a resilient and inclusive society.
The minister acknowledged Cambodia’s significant progress, while also noting the ongoing challenges that need addressing. To promote better implementation and results for people with disabilities, he recommended several key actions.
“Co-study, prepare and revise legal documents, including appropriate actions against ministries, institutions and legal entities failing to recruit people with disabilities or provide necessary support like subsidies, food allowances and travel expenses for services at the capital-provincial rehabilitation centres, in line with the country’s economic situation,” he stated.
Somethy suggested enhancing the quality and availability of prosthetics and standard body-support equipment to meet the needs of rehabilitation centres domestically and potentially for export.
He also advised reviewing and improving the physical infrastructure of the centres to reflect the country’s development.
Somethy emphasised the importance of continued cooperation with partner organisations in supporting physical rehabilitation and increasing housing construction for people with disabilities in the community, beyond previous efforts.
He called for strengthened management and fundraising through donation boxes for the disabled fund in capital-provincial branches to support various disability-related projects and ensure better sustainability of rehabilitation efforts.
“Please study and evaluate people with disabilities in the community to promote funding projects or loans, provide vocational training and create suitable jobs to improve their lives,” he added.
The ministry reported that over 7,000 people with disabilities were employed in public and private sectors nationwide of 2023.
