PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Tourism has instructed all provincial and municipal administrations to organize karaoke bars, regular bars, clubs and beer gardens in each provincial capital to facilitate the management of informal employees.

The Ministry of Tourism has instructed the Capital and Provincial Administration to strengthen the business management mechanism by urging all karaoke bars, regular bars, clubs and beer gardens to apply for a tourism license requiring the listing of specific staff and data to facilitate the management of female staff. The tourism license management mechanism will strengthen the record of informal employees and will be channeled through a QR Code database into the license form provided by the sub-national administration using the website system on: www.cambodiatourismindustry.org.

In addition, the Ministry also recommends that these entertainment businesses should apply for the standardization of adult entertainment centers to ensure the quality of service, security and safety of guests, as well as the technical standards of the business to prevent risks such as fire.

The Ministry of Tourism issued this instruction in accordance with the recommendations of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has expressed concern for the safety of women who work in the entertainment sector. The Royal Government is also considering providing lawyers to defend women working in the entertainment service sector and to provide them with National Social Security Fund cards as well.

Secretary of State for the Ministry of Tourism, Hun Dany, said at a meeting on business management and informal economy staff on Monday, 30 January 2023, that the strengthening of tourism business is to help prevent discrimination and improve working and employment conditions, especially for women working in the informal economy.

Secretary of State Hun Dany stated that the Ministry of Tourism considers women a potential driving force and indispensable stakeholder that can actively contribute to improving the living standards of families and communities.

She added that women working in the tourism sector are protected by the Tourism Law, which is not only designed to ensure the effective management and development of tourism, but also to contribute to the preservation and protection of natural resources, culture and traditions. In particular, the law ensure the safety of women and children, ensuring their dignity and the prevention of discrimination, abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and more.

It should be noted that there are a total of 928 registered karaoke bars, regular bars, clubs and beer gardens nationwide, of which 759 are karaoke bars, 69 are regular bars and clubs, and 100 are beer gardens.

As for massage and spa businesses, there are a total of 419 registered businesses, equivalent to 3,222 (massage and spa) beds. The total number of people employed at karaoke bars, regular bars, clubs and beer gardens is 24,125, of which 14,641 are women.