Cambodia: Govt. lay out plan to improve transportation for garment workers, incl. upgrade to buses by 2027
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CATU
"State Institutions Ensure Seated Flatbed Trucks For Garment Workers by 2024, Buses by 2027", 30 May 2024
After several rounds of discussion …, state institutions … vowed to make it safer for workers across the country to have chairs to sit on while traveling to and from work, which has typically been flatbed trucks. The full installation of seats on flatbed trucks is expected by the end of 2024.
The goal of shifting to full usage of passenger buses by 2027 to transport workers is still being negotiated by relevant institutions as the transition from typically flatbed trucks to enclosed buses was impacted by limited resources.
Preap Chanvibol, advisor to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and deputy director of the road traffic safety team for worker prevention mentioned that …, state institutions planned to move from flatbed trucks to standard buses with proper seats. However, it was difficult to change due to the high cost…
“To achieve the goal by the end of 2024, just set up the seats, no need to wait for [implementation of] standards as it’s not possible [yet] to convert flatbed trucks into enclosed buses,” he said. “Installing seats costs only $300 to $400 and will reduce the number of passengers by 10 people, but it’s better than standing. If you sit, it is more orderly, comfortable and safer.”
At present, there are about 220,000 garment workers who are transported in 3,332 vehicles. Sixty-five percent of the total garment workers travel in 1,963 flatbed trucks, while thirty-five percent travel in 1,369 enclosed buses…
During the event, stakeholders, especially drivers, unions, local authorities, and NGOs, raised issues and gave suggestions. One participant was heard saying that, “Even if there are more workshops, [the outcome] will be the same […] if there is no action”…