PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): The Cambodian government officially launched a digital platform for the informal economy on Monday.
Speaking at the launch event in Phnom Penh, Prime Minister Hun Manet said the portal marked an important milestone in implementing the National Strategy for Informal Economy Development 2023-2028.
He emphasised the platform's significance in providing recognition and support for the informal economy.
The move demonstrated the government's commitment to supporting the informal economy, aiming to create opportunities and enhance living standards and overall well-being, Manet said.
The platform will also facilitate the government's targeted interventions, especially during crises, and open doors for informal economy actors to access benefits such as skills development, social protection and formal financial services, he added.
Hem Vanndy, the industry minister, said the platform will provide a solution to the longstanding issue of lack of data about the informal economy.
The platform offered a range of options that are free of charge and entirely voluntary, primarily for micro-enterprises, employees of micro-enterprises, seasonal workers, and self-employed individuals working in the informal economy, he added.
According to a survey, Cambodia has about 7.9 million people in the labour force, with 1.7 million employed in the formal sector and a staggering 6.2 million individuals in the informal sector who often lack access to essential services, leaving them vulnerable to shocks. - Xinhua
