Battambang: In a continued effort to bolster local employment, Cambodia's Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has delivered nearly 2,700 direct job opportunities to former migrant workers and residents of Phnom Preuk district, Battambang province. The initiative was part of a sprawling forum held on Sunday at the Ratanak Phnom Preuk pagoda, combining job placement with crucial social security and skills training outreach.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the "Job and Social Security Forum" attracted approximately 700 attendees, offering them direct access to recruitment and critical information on social protection and vocational training programmes. H.E. Yim Sinan, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, represented H.E. Heng Sour, the Minister. He confirmed that five major factories and enterprises participated in the onsite recruitment drive, collectively offering 2,690 vacancies. This local initiative is part of a broader national landscape, with over 80,000 job opportunities currently available across the country.
Beyond domestic employment, the forum also featured participation from the TAFTAC Association, the RGPPSEZ Special Economic Zone, and firms specialising in labour deployment to Japan, providing residents with a spectrum of career options both at home and abroad. Secretary of State Yim Sinan emphasised the Royal Government's preference for domestic employment, highlighting that local jobs not only offer fair wages and good working conditions but also allow workers to remain with their families, care for children and parents, and avoid the risks of illegal labour exploitation overseas.
He underscored that all legally employed workers are entitled to comprehensive benefits from the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), including healthcare, pension schemes, and occupational risk coverage, ensuring protection for both their present and future needs. In his address, H.E. Yim Sinan also delivered a robust call to action for youth and returning migrant workers from Thailand to enroll in the Royal Government's flagship Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme. The initiative aims to provide 1.5 million young people from poor and vulnerable families with marketable skills.
"Possessing a tangible skill set will become a solid foundation for increasing income and improving family livelihoods," H.E. Yim Sinan stated. For further information on domestic and overseas job opportunities, NSSF benefits, the TVET 1.5M training programme, or other inquiries, the public is encouraged to contact the Ministry's hotlines at 1297 or 1286.