PhnomPenhPost-July 21, 2021
Minister of Planning Chhay Than said more than six million workers in the informal economy have either lost or are expected to lose their jobs due to Covid-19, despite the government’s efforts to counter the pandemic. Than made the remarks during the celebration of World Population Day on July 20. The minister said the pandemic has hit Cambodia’s tourism, export manufacturing and construction sectors the hardest, which cumulatively contribute more than 70 per cent to the Kingdom’s economic growth and employ nearly 40 per cent of the workforce. “Because of the transmission of Covid-19, nearly 3,000 businesses in the tourism sector have suspended activities, leading to a loss of 45,000 jobs. Workers in the informal sector, estimated to be 6.1 million people, have lost or will lose their jobs,” he said.
The community outbreak has claimed lives and placed a lot of pressure on Cambodia’s public health system, socio-economy, people’s daily livelihoods. He said the government had provided support to people affected by the pandemic through a cash handout program for pregnant workers, and poor and vulnerable households.
Read more at: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/informal-economy-may-lose-over-6m-jobs-covids-end
