PHNOM PENH: The Royal Government of Cambodia has decided to provide health care through the Health Equity Fund to those working in informal tourist services, especially to women working in bars, discos, karaoke bars, beer gardens, massage parlors and spas. In accordance with legal regulations, the state will cover the entire cost of their health plan.

Secretary-General of the National Social Protection Council, Chan Narith, spoke at a press conference on expanding health care coverage, which is already provided to the poor and the elderly, to include informal tourism workers. He stated a preliminary estimate for the new initiative at about $230,000 USD a year.

Deputy Director of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Sum Sophorn, said that the program has registered 2,146 individuals so far, 1,427 of whom are women. To qualify, employers in the industry must make a list of their employees have it verified by local administration before finally submitting it to the NSSF for registration.

Employees who are not under contract have the right to apply for the Health Equity Fund card directly at their local administration office for verification before applying NSSF themselves to register.

The Royal Government has introduced various social protections recently to prevent individuals from falling into abject poverty by ensuring income security and reducing economic vulnerability.