Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday encouraged garment truck drivers to take bank loans with low interest rates to buy trucks that have been assembled at the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bavet town, Svay Rieng province. He was speaking when he met 20,000 garment workers in Svay Rieng’s SEZ.

Hun Sen said the government is concerned about the workers’ transportation, and hence encouraged roofed trucks to be assembled in the country.

“Prepare to borrow money from the bank so that you can buy the trucks at low interest rates. Then, [the drivers] can transport those working here, who may include your nieces and nephews,” he told the workers.

Despite the possibility of a low interest rate, truck driver Phon Vanna from Kampong Chhnang province is unsure if he could afford to buy such a comfortable truck to transport workers.

“As a driver, of course I want to provide the workers with comfort and safety. But the trucks we bought previously have outstanding loans. I still owe $5,000, so I don’t think the bank will offer me an additional loan,” he said.