July 5, 2023
PHNOM PENH – The government will on August 1 double its assistance for pregnant workers and civil servants, as well as women with IDPoor cards, until the child is two years old.
In a July 4 announcement, the government said the increase was intended to improve the welfare of mothers and babies, and contribute to addressing malnutrition in small children, while encouraging physical and intellectual development in the first 1,000 days of life.
The assistance for eligible pregnant women and their child until two years old was the first national social assistance programme.
“To continue supporting pregnant women and small children, and stimulate Cambodia’s human resource development in line with the National Social Protection Policy, the government decided to increase the level of assistance and provide greater support for women.
“Those with IDPoor cards, female workers who are members of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), female civil servants, and intern and contract officials, qualify at public health facilities from pregnancy until the child is two years old,” the announcement stated.
It said the assistance programme for pregnant women and small children up to two had, for one baby or in the case of twins, doubled for pregnancy check-ups, health checks after delivery and vaccinations until the age of two.
Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC) president Ath Thorn on July 4 applauded government’s assistance programme and the care it afforded pregnant women, saying he hoped “it would continue forever”.
“Concerns, however, should also be raised regarding the working conditions of all pregnant workers, with some saying they still felt discriminated against for being pregnant or even being sacked because of it.
“Therefore, I would request the relevant ministries monitor the working conditions of pregnant women to ensure they can truly enjoy these benefits,” Thorn said.