Shutdown of VOD undermines press freedom, embassies and civil society groups warn
After the government shuttered independent media Voice of Democracy (VOD) on Monday, dozens of civil society groups decried the decision and numerous embassies warned the loss of the publication seriously damaged Cambodia’s dwindling press freedom in the run-up to the July national election. ...
Khuon Narim and Jack Brook
https://cambojanews.com/shutdown-of-vod-undermines-press-freedom-embassies-and-civil-society-groups-warn/
Nine Boeng Tamok residents placed under court supervision, face additional charges
Nine Boeng Tamok lake residents face charges of “intentional acts of violence and obstruction of public officials” and were placed under court supervision following a February 21 warrant issued by the Phnom Penh Municipal court. ...
Phon Sotthyroth and Runn Sreydeth
https://cambojanews.com/nine-boeng-tamok-residents-placed-under-court-supervision-face-additional-charges/
Cambodia perceived as highly corrupt, despite incremental improvement
Cambodia mildly improved its score on Transparency International’s 2022 corruption index released Tuesday, but remains considered among the most corrupt countries globally. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/cambodia-perceived-as-highly-corrupt-despite-incremental-improvement/
Prime minister says VOD shutdown strengthens journalism, offers reporters government jobs
Despite a wave of international concern over the shutdown of independent media Voice of Democracy (VOD), Prime Minister Hun Sen said that the outlet’s license will not be restored and offered VOD reporters government jobs instead in a Facebook post Tuesday. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/prime-minister-says-vod-shutdown-strengthens-journalism-offers-reporters-government-jobs/
Oral community to block entrance to forestland to protect from military clearance
Villagers in the Oral district of Kampong Speu province are digging in to protect what they claim as their community forest land, despite increasing pressure from the military to leave the site. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/oral-community-to-block-entrance-to-forestland-to-protect-from-military-clearance/
After bus company reneges on promises, a desperate union resumes protests
After the bus company Giant Ibis Transport delayed concluding negotiations with 30 laid off union employees, the workers continued protests at the company’s Sen Sok district station in Phnom Penh on Monday. ...
Eung Sea
https://cambojanews.com/after-bus-company-reneges-on-promises-a-desperate-union-resumes-protests/
Family of violently beaten government critic seeks justice
Phnom Penh police say they are investigating a brutal assault against a vocal critic of government policies, as civil society groups say the incident is the latest in an ongoing crackdown on critical voices. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/family-of-violently-beaten-government-critic-seeks-justice/
For overseas Khmer citizens, voting requires a costly trip home
Tuon Sopheara, a Cambodian migrant worker in South Korea, wants to vote in the upcoming July elections but cannot afford the plane ticket home. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/for-overseas-khmer-citizens-voting-requires-a-costly-trip-home/
Prime minister’s relative receives 30 hectares of Mondulkiri forest land
Government official Dy Panha received 30.79 hectares of land in northeastern Mondulkiri province cut from forest cover in a September sub-decree released publicly earlier this year. ...
Eung Sea and Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/prime-ministers-relative-receives-30-hectares-of-mondulkiri-forest-land/
Policy improves garment workers’ safety but leaves bus drivers deep in debt
An ongoing NGO and Labor Ministry initiative aims to make garment workers’ commute safer by shifting their daily transportation from typically flatbed trucks to enclosed buses, but the costs of the expensive upgrades are being placed on drivers. ...
Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/policy-improves-garment-workers-safety-but-leaves-bus-drivers-deep-in-debt/
Former opposition activists arrested for Facebook posts insulting the king
Two former opposition activists were arrested Tuesday and charged with incitement and insulting the King for Facebook posts commenting on the relationship between King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/former-opposition-activists-arrested-for-facebook-posts-insulting-the-king/
Cambodian Government Promises Cities 100% Clean Water by 2025
Prime Minister Hun Sen promised that 100% of people living in Cambodia’s cities and towns will have access to clean running water by 2025. ...
Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/cambodian-government-promises-cities-100-clean-water-by-2025/
PM Hun Manet aborts coal power plant project in Botum Sakor district
The new government has abandoned plans to build a $1.5 billion 700-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power project in Botum Sakor district, Koh Kong province, deciding instead to develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant. ...
Pok Ponlue and Hel Komsan
https://cambojanews.com/pm-hun-manet-aborts-coal-power-plant-project-in-botum-sakor-district/
NGO Licadho finds child labor, debt bondage in Cambodia’s brick factories
Child labor and debt bondage continue in Cambodia’s brick factories, according to a report published Monday by the human rights group Licadho. The organization also found garment waste from international brands such as Reebok, Old Navy and Adidas fueling kilns in brick factories. ...
Leila Goldstein and Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/ngo-licadho-finds-child-labor-debt-bondage-in-cambodias-brick-factories/
Cambodia’s ambitious Funan Techo canal project sparks concerns near and far
Heang Nang Eng, 60, had a bad feeling when she first heard rumors about a canal project that would impact the Prek Ta Hing stream near where she lives. ...
Seoung Nimol and Ly Rosslan
https://cambojanews.com/cambodias-ambitious-funan-techo-canal-project-sparks-concerns-near-and-far/
Union leader Morm Rithy convicted for criticizing Chinese-owned Jin Bei Casino two years ago
Union leader Morm Rithy was arrested after being convicted on charges of incitement to commit a crime following a lawsuit by Chinese-owned Jin Bei Group and has been sent to Prey Sar prison where he will serve an 18-month sentence. ...
Khuon Narim and Ly Rosslan
https://cambojanews.com/union-leader-morm-rithy-convicted-for-criticizing-chinese-owned-jin-bei-casino-two-years-ago/
Railway families remain uncertain as commune election candidates silent on their relocation
Seng Pha, 63, is unable to read the leaflets of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) posted on the wall of her wooden house, but she recognizes one of the candidates running for commune chief, out of a total of 35, in Boeung Kak II commune. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/railway-families-remain-uncertain-as-commune-election-candidates-silent-on-their-relocation/
Garment sector minimum wage to Rise to $200 a month in 2023
The minimum wage for workers in Cambodia’s billion-dollar garment sector will rise to $200 a month next year, a $6 raise that unions said was insufficient while employers raised concerns about profits and regional competitiveness. ...
Khuon Narim and Matt Surrusco
https://cambojanews.com/garment-sector-minimum-wage-to-rise-to-200-a-month-in-2023/
Cambodia’s GDP and Inflation to Rise This Year, World Bank Says
Cambodia’s GDP growth is estimated to reach 4.8% this year, and continue rising for the next two years while remaining below pre-pandemic levels, and inflation may hit 6%, more than double the rates of the last two years, the World Bank said. ...
Sorn Sarath and Matt Surrusco
https://cambojanews.com/cambodias-gdp-and-inflation-to-rise-this-year-world-bank-says/
With vague details, pro-government unions accuse labor groups of inciting members to form new union
Some 200 unions and federations have accused two prominent independent labor organizations of inciting its members to leave and establish a new union. The claim was denied by one of organizations, which said it has never trained members of any of the signatories — many ...
Khuon Narim and Phon Sotthyroth
https://cambojanews.com/with-vague-details-pro-government-unions-accuse-labor-groups-of-inciting-members-to-form-new-union/