PHNOM PENH: The United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO) commended the Royal Government of Cambodia for joining in pioneering the "Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions" initiative, which aims to help countries create 400 million decent jobs in the wake of the economic damage exacerbated by Covid-19. The program also aims to extend social protection coverage to the four billion people currently excluded from such benefits.

On August 29, ILO representative Oktavianto Pasaribu met with the new Labor Minister Heng Sour to discuss the initiative, which is open to any country that would like to work towards their Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Agenda. The ILO representative commended Cambodia for joining the program, which was started in 2021.

Labor Minister Heng Sour noted that the goals of the program’s agenda are in line with the priorities of the government’s recently released Pentagon Strategy under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet. He said that as a pioneer country of this initiative, the Royal Government of Cambodia will prioritize the development of vocational skills and the widening the scope of social protection. He urged all UN agencies to continue providing close and strong cooperation to further develop the employment sector in Cambodia.

The Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions initiative was launched in September 2021 to help member states resolve crises, accelerate economic recovery, and invest in the development of a green, transitional society. The program prioritizes formalization, youth employment, gender equality, and the digital economy as the world’s economy evolves.