PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Manet has met with factory workers ten times since taking office three months ago. So far, he says he has met with nearly 200,000 workers.

The PM emphasized this fact at a meeting with over 18,000 workers in Phnom Penh’s Kambol District on November 21. He said he will continue to hold two more rounds of meetings during his first term. He proudly noted that when he meets with workers, he always receives a kiss on the cheek and love from the workers.

Meeting with factory workers is a tradition established by his father, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who frequently met with workers to give long speeches disseminating public policy and addressing current events.

Today the PM took time to promote the government’s new program of providing vocational training to 1.5 million impoverished young people to provide them with skills that will find them decent jobs. He encouraged Cambodia’s youth to study hard and to apply their skills beyond just learning theory.

"Learn more by applying, not just theory. You can study repairing the machine for three months and then only know how to clean it. You need to practice repairing the machine,” he said.

The PM then instructed the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training to closely monitor the program and ensure it provides applicable training. He also stressed that it is necessary to invest in equipment and cooperate with private companies to create a successful program for the youth.