PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training asked China to support inspection officials and long-term hubs in the mining industry to the mining industry workers.

The proposal was made during a meeting between the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training and the Legal Department of China’s Ministry of Disaster Management on June 1. Secretary of State for the Ministry of Labor Huy HanSong remarked on the need for strengthening inspection protocol as Cambodia’s mining industry grows. The ministry has already increased the number of inspections in the textile, garment, footwear, travel, service and construction sectors.

Ministry advisor and Chief Medical Officer Leng Tong, said that labor inspection is vital to improving workplace safety and employee health by reducing the number of accidents. "We want to have long-term training programs that produce high-quality trainers. Our inspectors are highly qualified to help improve in this regard," he said.

He added that in December 2023, the ASEAN-China Center will host a disaster management forum in Beijing and encouraged the Cambodian Ministry of Labor to attend. The ministry agreed that it would be a good opportunity to exchange information and build cooperation towards strengthening occupational safety and health.

Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Yang Yanyi noted that working together on occupational safety is an important step in President Xi Jinping's "One Belt and One Road" initiative.