Over 96% entertainment workers denied social security in four provinces

Synopsis: A survey shows only three in 80 entertainment venues have registered staff for social security, leaving most workers without protection, and prompting calls for stronger labour law enforcement.

Only three in 80 entertainment establishments surveyed in four provinces of Cambodia have registered their workers for National Social Security Fund (NSSF) benefits, according to a report by the Women’s Network for Unity (WNU).

The organisation urged the Ministry of Labour to step up inspections and ensure stricter compliance with labour laws to shield workers in the entertainment sector.

The survey, undertaken in April and May in Phnom Penh, Kandal, Siem Reap, and Banteay Meanchey, included karaoke bars, beer gardens, night clubs, and restaurants. Out of the 80 establishments, a trifling 3.75% had registered employees with the NSSF. The remaining —an estimated 1,836 workers—had no access to social security cards or benefits provided by the law.

Speaking at an event organised to present the report, Rorn Rachana, a sex worker, highlighted the travails of entertainment workers. She said workers in the sector work without a contract, face severe exploitation and are even forced to pay for broken glasses, plates, or other material, which further dents their meagre income.

“Our jobs still have no contracts. All decisions depend on the word of the boss. We get very low wages—sometimes only $40, $80, or $120 per month, and at times we survive only on tips,” she said.

Sen Chanthou, Interim Management Director of WNU, said the organisation was calling for closer oversight because most workers in the sector do not receive the protection guaranteed by labour laws and has urged the Ministry to tighten law enforcement, especially in the entertainment sector.

“The reason we request inspections is that workers at entertainment venues are mostly without legal working conditions. We want the Ministry of Labour to ask all establishments to respect labour standards and rules, rather than waiting for employees to file complaints as some workers don’t even realise that they are being exploited,” she said.

“Employers often deduct wages arbitrarily and make workers’ pay for broken items. Almost all establishments operate this way. It’s the same exploitative system wherever you go,” Chanthou said.

Link: Khmer Time