Cambodia Morning News For December 28

NSSF Deadline: New Year’s Shock Awaits Cambodia Employers
Cambodia employers who fail to register their workers for universal healthcare with the country’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) before the end of this year will face fines of US$100 per employee when detected and could be subject to law suites by employees requiring medical treatment and not covered.
— AEC News Today

Government Crackdown in Cambodia Has All But Eliminated Accountability: NGOs, Analysts
A government crackdown on Cambodia’s opposition, NGOs, and independent media has led to a deterioration of the country’s system of checks and balances, according to observers, hampering democracy and deterring the public from engaging in politics.
— Radio Free Asia

Exports rose 19 percent: Commerce Ministry
The Commerce Ministry yesterday announced a 19 percent surge in exports for the year and a quadrupling of revenue collected from import licence fees, but would not provide analogous figures for total imports or explain what could be driving the increases.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia Imports and Exports Diamonds Worth of $24 Million
In 2017, Cambodia has imported raw diamonds with over $ 16 million, an increase of 5.33%, while exported the refined diamonds with over $8 million, an increase of 67.14% compared to 2016, according to the Ministry of Commerce’s annual report.
— Fresh News

PM claims success on reforms since near-loss in 2013, but experts say much still to be done
Prime Minister Hun Sen touted his record of reform today, saying the government would push to undertake all reform efforts pledged after the 2013 elections before the expiration of its mandate next year.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Hun Sen’s ‘vision’ would see him bypass National Assembly, shrink cabinet
During a cabinet meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced a “vision” to shrink the country’s cabinet by excluding secretaries and undersecretaries of state from the body, and to be given the right to bypass the National Assembly by appointing them directly, according to a government spokesman yesterday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

PM Hun Sen Calls for Cooperation From Workers
The head of the Royal Government of Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen, asked workers to cooperate together to maintain peace in Cambodia by preventing the intervention of both Khmer and foreigners in order to keep their daily income.
— Fresh News

Phnom Penh-Poipet rail line to open next year
The new railway line that connects Phnom Penh to Poipet on the border, linking with trains from Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province to Bangkok, is expected to begin operating next year.
— Bangkok Post

SECC cuts transaction fees for derivative trades
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Cambodia (SECC) has decided to slash transaction fees on derivative trading, a move the SECC claims will help spur future trades.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Abandoned documents at raided cockfighting ring allegedly owned by PM’s in-law
Abandoned documents, found by Phnom Penh Post reporters at a raided cockfighting ring allegedly owned by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s in-law, suggest a network of local payoffs across Kandal province.
— The Nation

Ministry of Health Reports H5N1 Outbreak in Kampong Thom
The Department of Communicable Disease of the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday the spread of bird flu H5N1 in Kampong Thom province following the outbreak in Prey Chor District, Kampong Cham Province.
— Fresh News

Cambodia sends maids to HK to plug gap after abuse scandals
Cambodia sent its first batch of maids to work in Hong Kong on Wednesday as the Asian financial hub scrambles to meet growing demand for domestic helpers after a series of abuse scandals.
— The Daily Star

Feature photo Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia

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