Cambodia's Ministries of Labour and Tourism on Wednesday jointly launched a new regulation for protecting the occupational safety, health and labour rights of entertainment workers. "The regulation aims to improve working conditions, occupational safety and health rules of entertainment service enterprises, establishments and companies,"said a joint statement released at the launching ceremony.

The move is intended to address a range of challenges that entertainment workers face including poor occupational safety and health education and protection, violence and sexual harassment, excessive working hours and low pay and forced alcohol consumption.

"In addition, the regulation also calls for the elimination of forced labour and related violations in the industry, including penalties and wage reductions and mandatory abortions,"the statement said.

Labour Minister Ith Samheng said the regulation was part of a national effort to create a supportive environment, where HIV prevention, care and treatment could be strengthened, and where occupational safety, health and working conditions were addressed. "This edict will ensure the protection of entertainment workers, who have operated outside the formal economy,"he said.

Tourism Minister Thong Khon said the country has 659 entertainment businesses, including night clubs, discotheques, karaoke parlors and beer gardens, with 11,331 entertainment workers, mostly female. "The regulation is a new legal instrument to improve working conditions, health and rights for entertainment employees,"he said.

Chan Dyna, head of National Entertainment Workers'Network, said the government has finally recognized that entertainment workers are actually workers, like all others, and should be protected under labor law. "Entertainment establishment owners have an obligation to take care of their workers and prevent key problems such as violence and sexual abuse,"she said.

Sar Mora, president of the Cambodian Food and Service Workers Federation, said it needed strong efforts from all stakeholders, especially employers and trade unions, to effectively implement the regulation. "The Ministry of Labour should actively monitor the implementation of the regulation in order to ensure a positive result,"he said.

Danh Eng Kakada, general manager of Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Association, expressed his support to the regulation, saying that "the employers' association is ready to implement this edict effectively to make better health and labour conditions for the workers in this informal sector."

Entertainment workers are among the most at risk population group for the key concentrated epidemic of HIV and AIDS response in Cambodia, said Tia Phalla, vice-chairman of the National AIDS Authority, adding that they have faced with many challenges as well as stigma and discrimination. "This effort will strengthen the enabling environment for them to benefit from improved access to HIV programs and services,"he said. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)