In a notification pertaining to payment of wages and reopening of factories in Yellow zones, Ith Sam Heng, Cambodia’s Minister of Labor and Vocational Training said, workers need not get vaccinated in order to return to work. He assured that, any discrimination against non-vaccinated workers will be investigated by the labor inspector of the ministry.

The letter also urged the ministry to pay 50 per cent of wages due to employees for April as well as other benefits by May 14. The General Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) also said, factories producing textiles, garments, footwear, travel goods and bags will be subject to the conditions first discussed by the Labour Action Committee (LAC) at a meeting on May 6. Workers employed in factories located in the Yellow zone will be split into two groups, with one group working the first two weeks of the month and the second group finishing out the month.

Workers will be paid full salaries. However, they will work for only two weeks, said Ken Loo, Secretary General, GMAC. All workers will be allowed to work regardless of their vaccination status, but priority to work the first two weeks will be given to vaccinated workers, he added. The GMAC also reiterated the necessary measures that must be followed by factories in Yellow Zones. These included worker rotations, measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring that worker transportation services halve the amount of passengers for each trip.

It also stated that, according to law, if a COVID-19-positive case is found at a factory or enterprise, the capital or provincial governor may suspend operations in a portion of the factory for two days.