News

• 30 April, 2020
• Posted by: EuroCham Cambodia

With the COVID-19 situation continuing to evolve everyday in Cambodia, EuroCham will be regularly disseminating the official announcements from the Royal Government to ensure our network is updated as efficiently as possible. 

Due to the significant number of incoming announcements, we are unable to translate these in full so please refer to our summaries below and the attached official notices in Khmer.

Official Announcements: 24 - 30 April

(English summaries provided by EuroCham Cambodia, subject to corrections by relevant authorities)

1. General Department of Immigration on Discontinuing Visa Extensions for Foreigners that Have Not Registered with the Foreigners Present in Cambodia System (FPCS)   

On 27 April, the General Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Interior requested that competent municipal and provincial police commissariats inform all residential owners/landlords to report (register) any foreigners that stay in their properties through the Foreigners Present in Cambodia System (FPCS). The General Department of Immigration will not extend the visas of those who have not been registered on the FPCS from 1 July 2020.    

2. Law on the Management of the Nation in a State of Emergency Promulgated by the Acting Head of State  

On 29 April, the Acting Head of State signed to promulgate the Law on the Management of the Nation in a State of Emergency. The Law has 5 main chapters with 12 articles that aim to safeguard national security and public order, protect public health, lives, properties and environment throughout the Nation placed under the state of emergency. The Law outlined that the state of emergency cannot exceed 3 months and that this period can be extended under the same conditions.  

EuroCham’s note: A State of Emergency has not been issued in Cambodia, this notice is regarding the promulgation of the legal framework only.  

3. National Social Security Fund Notification on Postponing Contribution Payments for April 2020 

On 30 April, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) issued notification No. 0139/20 to inform all directors and owners of enterprises and institutions that contribution payments for April 2020 have been postponed for all sectors: 

• Payments to Acleda Bank, Canadia Bank, Wing Specialised bank, ABA Bank, and Ly Hour Paypro Plc are postponed until 21 May 2020. 
• Submission of employees’ report and distribution payment documents to the NSSF are postponed until 27 May 2020. 

4. Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training Details the Obligations of Each Stakeholder under the Employment Suspension Contract Process  

On 27 April, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training provided the detailed steps and obligations to be followed by owners or administrators of factories and enterprises of the garment sector producing garment, shoes, travel goods and bags; and owners or administrators of tourism businesses such as hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and travel agents to receive permission from the Ministry to suspend workers. In addition, the Ministry listed the obligations that employees of these industries must fulfil in order to receive the subsidy allowance of $40/month from the Royal Government during the suspension period.  

5. European Union Provides 350 million Euros to Assist the ASEAN Region in the Fight Against the COVID-19  

On 27 April, the European Union (EU) announced it was mobilising 350 million euros to fight against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the ASEAN region. The EU will support actions at country and regional levels to address the immediate health crisis, strengthen health systems, as well as alleviate the economic and social consequences. In Cambodia, the EU is enhancing social protection support to the most vulnerable groups, including the unemployed, as well as boosting investment programmes in rural and urban areas to create jobs and livelihood opportunities. 

6. Office of the Council of Ministers Press Release on the Fighting Against COVID-19 and the Impact on Employment 

On 28 April, the Office of the Council of Ministers issued a press release on the regulations that have been issued to control the spread of COVID-19 among workers and all citizens. The press release outlined that as of 28 April 2020, 130 factories had suspended operations which has impacted approximately 100,000 employees. Cambodia has not received any new manufacturing orders for May and June as exports of all products has decreased by more than 50% in the second quarter compared to the previous year.  

7. Royal Government Decision on Establishing a Technical Working Group for a Harmonising Registration System and Data Management for Social Protection 

On 27 April, the Royal Government established a technical working group to harmonise the registration system and data management for social protection and to analyse the overall registration system, challenges and technology required for ongoing social protection works. This working group may also invite representatives from ministries, state institutions, development partners and private sector to discuss if necessary.

8. General Department of Customs and Excise Letter on Amendment of the Procedure in Managing Goods in Containers with Multiple Owners

On 29 April, the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) issued letter no. 1038/20 to their directors of departments, branches and bureaus to facilitate trading procedures for imports and exports. During the customs clearance process, the branches of customs and excise do not need to request GDCE to process goods in a container that is owned by multiple owners. The directors of branches of customs and excise can therefore decide to allow seals to be cut and goods unloaded from container with multiple owners and proceed to customs clearance processing and/or storage in warehouses following policies and regulations. The directors shall effectively implement the above facilitation from the date of signature (29 April 2020). 

9. Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training Notification for Workers Abroad or Who Have Returned to Cambodia During COVID 19 

On 29 April, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training issued a notification to instruct Cambodian workers overseas or who have returned on the following: 

Overseas workers shall follow the laws, regulations and other health measures implemented by their respective countries of work; follow the instructions or notifications of the Embassy or Consul of Cambodia; perform work in accordance with the instructions of the competent authorities and employers; urgently contact the Embassy or Consul in case of emergency. 

Returned workers are required to follow the instructions of the competent authorities at land and air checkpoints in accordance with the health check and 14-day quarantine measures after their arrival; contact the authorities if they experience challenges during the COVID-19 crisis, and contact the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training and the Municipal or Provincial Job Centre for employment information if they require a new job; and should help their family with farming and other agriculture works while waiting for a new job.  

10. Ministry of Post and Telecommunications Discussion on the Development of a Draft Digital Government Policy Framework 

On 28 April, the Minister of Post and Telecommunications presided over a meeting to discuss the draft policy framework concerning digital government with other relevant heads of the Ministry. The working group proposed to speed up the preparations of a concept paper for a Digital Government Policy Framework and ensure it is consistent with the Digital Economy Policy, developed by a working group of the Supreme National Economic Council. The Minister of Post and Telecommunications has also assigned the group to study the digital government trends of other counties to gather input from experts.