Cambodia is one of the countries that have been badly hit by the coronavirus crisis, which has led to social unrest as the rates of unemployment rise.
Over 130 garment factories have already applied for suspension, affecting the lives of over 100,000 workers.
The Garment Manufacturer Association of Cambodia (GMAC) claims that around 60 per cent of the factories in the country are facing financial distress due to cancelled and suspended orders from garment exporters.
In an effort to bring to light the plight of furloughed workers, union leaders have written to Prime Minister Hun Sen, urging him for an appropriate relief package to be announced.
Although the Government is providing US $ 70 per month pay-outs for all laid off employees, it makes up for only 37 per cent of the minimum wage. Originally, the Government-support pay-outs were promised to be 60 per cent or US $ 114.
GMAC suspects that the number of jobless workers will not stop at 100,000 and is likely to double within the next week.
The economy of Cambodia is predicted to grow at 2.3 per cent and 2.5 per cent by the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, respectively, instead of the steady 7 per cent it was slated to grow at previously.
