HRP supports allowances raise [-asks the gov't to show its "Iron Fist" in controlling the nation's economy]

Saturday, March 15, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

The HRP issued a statement supporting the 10% raise in allowances for teachers, even though this raise is very small. The HRP statement dated 14 March 2008 indicated that, even though this 10% raise is coming late and it does not affect all government workers yet, the HRP welcomes it and it calls on the government to work hard to continue to expand this salary increase. At the same time, the HRP also asked the government to take efficient measure to prevent the rise in the price of goods, so as to show the ability of the “Iron Fist” in controlling the economy by the current government.

10% allowances raise for teachers [-Another CPP election ploy?]

Thursday, March 13, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

On Wednesday, Prime minister Hun Sen declared that the Cambodian government has decided to raise the teachers’ allowance by 10% starting 01 April 2008. [Cambodian teachers are paid separate salaries and allowances. The allowance is based on the number of teaching hours and is usually larger than the salary]. In a speech given during the distribution of diplomas for newly graduated middle school teachers at the Hun Sen pedagogic center in Kandal province, Hun Sen said that teachers will receive a 10% allowance raise starting 01 April. He said that for this raise, the government will need about 14 billion riels (~$3.5 million) this year, and 20 billion riels (~$5 million) next year. During that occasion, Hun Sen also said that the government will raise the bonus for teachers’ children and wives by 100%, i.e. each child of a teacher will now see their father’s bonus raised from 2,500 riels ($0.63) to 5,000 riels ($1.25) each month. Hun Sen said that the allowances raise and the 20% salary increase should provide a better standard of living for teachers.