The total maybe even higher than that due to the lack of raw materials and buyers, Presidentof the Collective Union of Movement of Workers Pav Sina said.
However, shesaid the suspensions could work in the employees’ favour because they might besafe from COVID-19 infections.
President ofthe National Trade Union Confederation (NTUC) Fa Saly said on March 23 that theNTUC would like to appeal to the Cambodian government, especially the Ministryof Labour and Vocational Training, to temporarily stop workers at workshops,factories and enterprises in Phnom Penh to mitigate the risk of infectionspread.
Addressing apress conference last week, Heng Sour said the epidemic would force around 200factories to close due to the shortage of raw materials, meaning that some160,000 workers could face joblessness in March and April.
On February 24,Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that all workers hired by suspended factoriesshould receive at least 60 percent of the minimum wage. Employers would berequired to pay 40 percent while the government would provide the other 20 percent./.