PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training stressed that workers are to receive three days paid vacation for the upcoming Pchum Ben celebrations on October 13-15. The ministry instructed all business owners to comply with the order.

In the event that a factory or business cannot suspend their production chain, business owners must arrange shifts for workers to allow them time off. The ministry recommended that they make a schedule ahead of time to ensure everyone gets time off and to keep it for their records upon ministry inspection.

Workers who continue to work over the Pchum Ben holiday are entitled to a bonus equal a day’s wage.

The festivities run for 15 days with Kan Ben being celebrated this year from September 30- October 12, while Pchum Ben falls on October 13-14. During this time Cambodians make all kinds of rice, soup, cakes, and fruits and give food and money to monks at nearby pagodas in honor of their relatives who have passed away.