PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, Vong Sauth, stated that in 2022, 37 public institutions and 291 private sector entities prioritized recruiting persons with disabilities.

Minister Vong Sauth shared this information at the opening ceremony of the 5th Asia-Pacific Community-Based Inclusive Development Congress (AP-CBID) on Wednesday morning, 15 March 2023, which was presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The Minister of Social Affairs stated that in 2022, 3,748 persons with disabilities were given priority in employment at 37 ministries and public institutions. Additionally, a total of 5,839 persons with disabilities were registered at 291 private enterprises, banks, microfinance institutions, hotels and factories.

He added that the Ministry of Social Affairs has already provided social security cards to a total of 19,374 persons with disabilities, while the Ministry is now preparing social security cards for 16,489 more people.

He also noted that persons with disabilities have been equally involved in politics. In 2017, the National Election Commission (NEC) registered more than 120,000 persons with disabilities to vote and run for office. Many have also been invited to observe the upcoming General Election in July.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has encouraged further cooperation in organizing special skills training and using appropriate teaching techniques for persons with disabilities to help improve their abilities and access to work with higher salaries, as well as to allow persons with disabilities to participate more fully and equally in the labor market, in both the private and public sectors.