Talks to insure construction workers continue

Issues surrounding insuring construction workers were discussed between the Cambodia Constructors Association (CCA) and a high-level research delegation comprised of India-based Deft Advisory and Research Private Limited (DEFT), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Cambodian government-backed National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

The discussion on the topic of construction labour which was organised on 8 August at the CCA secretariat was a follow-up meeting after an initial meeting in July. Besides talking about insurance coverage for construction workers across Cambodia, discussions also extended to the supply chain valuation and construction market in the kingdom.

The CCA and seven of its members presented the situation of building workers to the visiting delegation. They also exchanged views on how to help those workers and the nation’s overall construction environment.

Officials from the nation’s social security fund, NSSF, with support from the ILO and DEFT asked the CCA for the official data of construction workers in Cambodia, especially the blue-collar workers employed by constructors that are members of the association. They also asked for the exact number of construction workers in the country if possible. Once the data is provided, they will be able to apply the scheme for the workers’ insurance.

After registering as a member of the NSSF, constructors [employers/business owners] are required to pay a contribution of 0.8 percent of each worker’s monthly wage. That means if a worker has monthly wage bellow 200,000 Riel (USD 50), the firm owner has to pay 1,600 Riel (USD 0.39) to the NSSF fund. The fund will cover each worker with employment injury coverage which includes work injuries, commuting accidents, and occupational diseases. Once the worker incurs an injury, the NSSF will cover the treatment of worker until he or she [worker] recovers.

First established in 1955, the NSSF completely disappeared during the genocidal regime (1975-79) but has been re-instituted since 2008. Initiated and run by the Cambodian government, NSSF plays a crucial role in providing basic social security protection to employees in the private sector. It has also registered members, collected contribution funds, managed NSSF finances, and implemented and provided benefits to injured workers or beneficiaries.

However, the 8 August meeting did not produce any concrete results, since CCA is not able to extract accurate data of the total number of workers in the sector. “We are afraid that we could not give you [DEFT] the real data of the workers as they move from one constructor to another very often,” Chiv Sivpheng, CCA general manager explained.

- Video Advertisement -

Related Post

In 2024, Cambodia Signed New Concessional Loans Totaling USD 1.7 Billion

In a significant move to bolster its economic development, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has secured new concessional loans totaling approximately USD 1,795.84 million from various development partners (DPs). This marks a 2 percent increase from the previous year’s total. According to the latest Cambodia Public Debt Statistical Bulletin released today, the newly signed […]

Cambodia Strengthens Irrigation Systems to Boost Agricultural Productivity

In a recent press conference held on March 2, 2025, His Excellency Tho Jetha, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology, announced that Cambodia is home to an impressive 2,352 irrigation systems, which collectively can irrigate nearly 2 million hectares of agricultural land across the nation. Highlighting the significance of water resources for the national economy […]

Strengthening Economic Ties: Cambodia and India Boost Trade Relations

In a move to elevate bilateral trade relations, Cambodia and India have reported a significant increase in their trade volume, now exceeding $340 million. This announcement was made during separate discussions between Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the Acting Head of State of Cambodia, and H.E. Bawitlung Vanlalvawna, the Indian Ambassador to Cambodia, as well as […]

Council for the Development of Cambodia Empowers Subnational Investment Committees

In a significant move to streamline investment processes, the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has announced the delegation of authority to capital and provincial investment subcommittees to register investment projects under the Cambodian Investment Project Management System (cdcIPM). This initiative is set to take effect in the third quarter of 2025. On March […]

Gov’t Introduces Measures to Enhance Water Management in Cambodia’s Agriculture Sector

In a concerted effort to tackle the pressing challenges in water resources management, the Economic and Financial Policy Committee of Cambodia convened on March 5, 2025. The committee unveiled a comprehensive plan comprising three key measures aimed at improving water management within the country’s water and agriculture sectors. During the meeting, members deliberated on the […]

29 Community Water Stations Inaugurated in Banteay Meanchey Province

In a significant step towards improving access to clean water, 29 community water stations funded by World Vision Cambodia were officially inaugurated today. The ceremony was presided over by H.E. Chhay Rithsen, Minister of Rural Development, alongside other distinguished officials. H.E. Um Ratay, Governor of the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Governor’s Office, announced that these new […]