Cambodia made a step closer to inclusive social protection systems

Inclusive social protection is critical to achieving gender equity and poverty reduction effort in Cambodia. Social protection has taken policy momentum in Cambodia. The Royal Government of Cambodia has recently initiated several social protection schemes, National Social Security Fund (NSSF) in particular, which greatly benefit apparel industry employees. Through this scheme, NSSF reported that in 2020 alone a total of 80,000 female garment workers received maternity allowances from the government which accounted for USD$7.9 million.

The National Social Protection Council also reported that approximately 300,000 female workers both in formal and informal sectors, who have given birth in the past four years, between January 2018 to March 2022 benefited from cash support which accounts for US$30.1 million. And at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia, workers who were laid-off also received support in the forms of cash-based transfer programs. And a total of at least 560,000 households with an IDPoor card benefited from this scheme in 2020 alone.

The National Social Protection Council led the national policy dialogue “Social Protection Week 2023”, this 13-15 February 2023, to influence the policy outcomes and increase awareness and support amongst the Cambodian public on social protection system in the country.

Building on the traditional partnership with the National Social Protection Council (NSPC), Oxfam are pooling resource to support this extraordinary cause along with other development partners (DPs). This year Social Protection Week 2023 organized to reflect the theme: “Good Governance and Public Trust - Strengthening Transparency and Accountability for the Social Protection in Cambodia”.

The Social Protection Week 2023 was organized to:  (1) serve as a forum for the respective ministries, institutions, development partners and all relevant stakeholders to discuss challenge and best practices at the national and international levels as well as the future plan of expanding and strengthening the social protection in Cambodia; (2) raise awareness on the importance of the social protection in socio-economic development among stakeholders; and (3) strengthen the collaboration and engagement among the government and relevant stakeholder in extending the social protection in Cambodia.

In the opening remark by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, and Chairperson of the National Social Protection Council, Honorable His Excellency Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth said, “the Royal Government of Cambodia plans to spend $465 million in 2023 through cash-transfer program to support the poor and vulnerable households. This decision confirms the strong and continued commitment of the Royal Government of Cambodia to invest in social protection policies.

During the Social Protection Week 2023, Ms. Phean Sophaon, Oxfam National Director joined a panel discussion on “Formalization and Extension of Social Security Coverage.” She discussed the awareness of the public and their readiness to the National Social Security Fund as well as the accountability and policies of the Social Protection to the government. 

Ms. Sophoan said that “Social Protection Week is an open forum that provides opportunity to related ministries, institutions, development partners and civil society to discuss challenges and exchange best practices at national and international levels and extend and strengthen the Social Protection as well as improving its awareness for the economic development among public institutions, employers and employees, civil society, and the public.”

In the closing remark, the Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation and Vice Chairman of the National Social Protection Council, His Excellency Vong Soth gave his remarks that strengthening the efficiency and transparency of the Social Protection in Cambodia is even more needed to meet with the modern lifestyle of the people in the age of globalization and the Industry 4.0.

Oxfam and partner organization have long been supporting the Royal Government of Cambodia, through the National Social Protection Council (NSPC), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), etc., and other government organizations to strengthen the inclusive social protection system in the Kingdom. This strong partnership is reflected in this joining effort in Social Protection Week 2023.

Mr. Geoffrey Petkovich, Oxfam Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Director, in his closing note congratulated the Royal Government of Cambodia, through the National Social Protection Council, as the Chair of ASEAN in 2022 for successfully incorporating social protection into the 55th ASEAN Joint Communiqué. He also noted that this tremendous effort has paved the way for the preparation and formulation of regional Social Protection Roadmaps, a guiding principle for the implementation of the ASEAN Social Protection Charter.

In his remark, Oxfam also congratulated the leadership and team members of the National Social Protection Council for initiating and organizing this superb "Social Protection Week".

Check out some snapshot during the event.