Selected Comments Samdech Techo Hun Sen, conversation with workers at Wing Star Shoe Factory, Kong Pisey District, Kampong Speu Province [Unofficial Translation]

CNV:

(1) Until the Covid19 test lifted, the second round of meeting starts

As stated in the previous forums, after the first-round meeting, I will go to the second round. But the second round was interrupted by the Covid-19 issue. In 2020, in 2021, in 2022, and in the early part of 2023, we have not waived the Covid-19 test obligation yet. It disrupted our meeting. When we waive (the test), we then have a chance to meet […] we continue to vaccinate people so that they are immune to coping with this deadly disease. Although it is not a public health disaster anymore as it used to be, it is not getting anywhere far away […]

(2) No monitoring is no leadership

[…] What is the goal of this meeting? We would like to have a dialogue between the Prime Minister and the workers to review the progress achieved in the past, as well as to review the recommendations submitted to the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, as well as all local authorities’ efforts to resolve […] without monitoring, we do not know whether there is progress or no progress. The leadership and working methodology required monitoring. Leading without monitoring is no leadership […]

(3) EBA could be gone 100% either in 2026 or 2027

There was this man (taking refuse) abroad saying, “Mr. Hun Sen does not dare to go meeting with workers because he is afraid that workers shouting demanding for the EBA” […] let me explain a little about EBA? (The word in full) is “Everything but Arms“. It is a policy of developed countries in Europe to reduce import duties. But this EBA will disappear when the (those countries become) developed ones. That we are losing the 20% of EBA is not (a matter of shock because) we will be losing the status 100% in the future – estimated to be in either 2026 or 2027 […]

(4) Trade no national sovereignty for aid or favor

[…] We need to strengthen our resilience from now. During the meeting in Europe […] I forbade the accompanying ministers from asking for the return of the cut 20% EBA […] I wanted to know too how resilient Cambodia is so that we can strengthen our own capacity. “I have previously declared,” I will not trade national sovereignty for any aid or favor. ” In fact, we can see now if Cambodia is dead […]

(5) Cambodia exports more than 4 million tons of rice … China, Japan, Korea buy from Cambodia

In the past, Cambodian agriculture covered about 80% (of its GDP). In the 1980s, services were very small and industries were too. Agriculture is now declining becoming a small portion to contribute to gross domestic product. However (small the portion), agriculture has the capacity to export more than 4 million tons of rice to the international market […] other incomes from agriculture are from exports of about 1 million tons of cashew nuts, and rubber, and cassava. China has accepted to purchase more Cambodian goods […] Japan and Korean have opened their markets for more Cambodia’s goods from the agricultural sector […] while in 2019, we received up to 6 million 6 million tourists, in 2020, the number feel to only tens of thousands of tourists’ arrival. In 2001 the number further reduced. In 2002, tourists’ arrival picked up to some 2.2 million. We expect (the arrival) this year to reach 4 million […]

(6) Learning independent economy of the Sangkum Reastr Niyum era

We have to learn from the Sangkum Reastr Niyum era of Samdech Ov (the late King Father Samdech Preah Borom Ratanak Kaod). They imposed sanctions and closed economic relations, but he continued (to adhere to) the independent economy. He could do it. He could build a country. Even though they hated him, they made life uneasy for him and the country, but Samdech Ov led a prosperous country. If there were no coup on March 18, 1970 and foreign aggression, Cambodia would have been grown country. Unfortunately, the country was at war […] it has always been in my mind that when investments flow in […] I wanted factories to stand along the National Road 4 between Phnom Penh and Kampong Som […] this is Hun Sen’s view. This has become a reality, although at the moment on the road to Sihanoukville has nod had factories as I wished, but at least there are factories between Phnom Penh and Kampong Speu. You have to see the long-term vision […]

(7) Win-win political movement started in early January 1996

At the beginning of 1996, I came to inspect the integration of the 18th Division of Keo Pong. This is the beginning of a win-win political movement. Do not be mistaken that the win-win politics began on December 29, 1998. This movement started in early January of 1996, which led to the uprisings in Pailin and Malay, a major driving force led by Gen. Y Chhien and Gen. Sok Pheap, who formed a separatist movement from the Khmer Rouge. We then pursued win-win politics to unite and unified land the nation for the first time in history of division for so many years […]

(8) The triangle strategy launched on December 2, 1998

[…] The triangular strategy that I laid out on December 2, 1998, at the first cabinet meeting, had the first angle focusing on pacification of the whole cuntry. It means we were strengthening (the sought for peace). At that time, Khieu Samphan, Nuon Chea and some others did not surrender yet. Secondly, the integration of Cambodia as soon as possible in the international community. The third angle – drawing on domestic and international favorable factors, we mobilized human, intellectual, and wealth resources to commence the country’s socio-economic development and reduce poverty […]

(9) Hun Sen’s vision and philosophy bring Cambodia to a new stage

I thank Dr. Say Bory, a veteran legal scholar, for pointing out that Hun Sen is not just a politician, but a scholar. What I have mentioned above are Hun Sen’s point of view. People who have been with me and heard about them are still attached. In every stage that Hun Sen launched his vision/philosophy, it is rare that Hun Sen made a mistake. Do not jump to conclusions […] wait and see. As a result, Cambodia has gone through a difficult period to a new stage. Formerly, they blamed the permission to sell farmland on National Road 3, 4 and 2. I had to explain […] now the prosperity becomes a reality […]

(10) Only CPP is capable of finding and protecting peace

Peace is not just for the Prime Minister. Peace is primarily for all citizens. The Prime Minister has got the force to protect it […] the ones who have the ability to find peace and keep the peace is the Cambodian People’s Party. Whether it is going to be the CPP-government led by Hun Sen or by the successor of the following generation, as long as the (Prime Minister is) coming from the CPP, he is able to maintain peace. The succession will have to go through the elections […] in Cambodia, those who do not have the right to be the Prime Minister are first and foremost prisoners. If you are guilty charged by court you are not able to run for the post. Secondly, if you have multiple nationalities. The constitution forbids that. Thirdly, those who are not elected to the National Assembly cannot be the Prime Minister. The constitution clearly states that the prime minister must be a member of parliament. If you are not a Member of Parliament, you cannot be the Prime Minister […]

(11) Joined incomes improve countryside living conditions

Getting wealthier and having built nice houses in the countryside are people who have their children contributing their incomes from the factories’ jobs with their farming parents. At the time of the Covid-19 crisis, factories were suspended. The Royal Government had to pay these workers of suspended factories a sum of US$ 70/month, and these labor forces return to help their parents with their farm work. When the factory reopens, they all returned to their works […]

(12) Unions lead demonstrations, labor department and authorities solve problems When factories have a problem, I urge effort to try to solve it as soon as possible and take responsibility to protect workers’ rights. No one can afford to protect workers’ rights more than state authorities. May the provincial governors remember that the unions have only led people to protests, but the authorities, the Labor Department are the ones that solve real problems. Do not just wait for the Ministry of Labor because it is far away. Only the authorities can move quicky to solve it. We have increased the number of seats of the sub-national council – either provinces or district […]./.

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