Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a circular celebrating the 136th anniversary of International Labour Day, which falls on May 1, under the theme “Peace, Health and Job Security”.
Hun Sen said in the April 19 circular that Cambodia has celebrated International Labour Day on May 1 – an important milestone of the international workers’ movement – every year since 1979.
“The 136th anniversary of International Labour Day will be celebrated under the theme of Peace, Health and Job Security. In the context of the nation fighting against the Omicron variant of Covid-19, this theme is prescient, so the government has instructed that this event be celebrated,” said the circular.
Hun Sen said that he had assigned capital and provincial governors – in collaboration with trade union representatives and employers – to meet with workers and civil servants to mark the occasion.
“We should prepare to meet – on a small scale and according to practical considerations. Employers should hold celebrations at their factories and enterprises, but naturally be wary of Covid-19 best practises,” he added.
The government also recommended that the Ministry of Information employ social media and instruct public and private media outlets to spread the circular and messages celebrating International Labour Day.
All ministries and administrations in the capital and provinces, as well as large businesses, should choose suitable locations – such as on main thoroughfares or on large construction sites or farm buildings – and erect banners and signs which employ slogans to observe the importance of the day and its theme.
Suggested slogans include Long live the Kingdom of Cambodia; Happy 136th anniversary of the 136th anniversary of International Labour Day; Peace, Health and Job Security; willing to get vaccinated with both base and booster shots for health and for work; and respect the laws on labour and unions to guarantee the rights and the common good of employees and employers.
Suggested slogans included: Long live The Kingdom of Cambodia as it celebrates the 136th anniversary of International Labour Day; Peace, Health and Job Security, willing to get vaccinated for health and for work; Respect the Labour Laws to guarantee the rights and the common good of workers
“The government calls on government officials at all levels, employers, workers of Cambodia and foreigners to join in the celebrations in the spirit of happiness, solidarity and fraternity,” said the notice.
Far Saly, president of the National Trade Union Coalition, told The Post on May 19 that International Labour Day is still very important to people, especially Cambodian workers who can still make demands or protest and who are free to express their opinions and concerns as well.
He added that trade union presidents and workers are able to make suggestions about their respective institutions or unions to the government, as well as demand the government or relevant ministries consider their working conditions.
“In the spirit of this freedom, I would like to ask the government, and in particular the Ministry of Labour, to order or encourage the owners of restaurants or other service industry businesses to purchase National Social Security Fund cards for their employees,” he said.