"Svay Rieng IDEA Leader Charged for Promoting NSSF", 20 July 2024

Chea Chantha, a local leader of the informal worker group Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA), was sent to pre-trial detention by the Svay Rieng Provincial Court … after he was arrested … while talking to workers about accessing the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

Chantha attended a workshop … discussing climate change and social protections in Bavet, Svay Rieng. Later, he met with workers and was talking about the NSSF, a government social service, when police arrested him.

After being held for two days by police, Chantha appeared in court … and was questioned. He was charged … under Article 377 and 378 for fraud and Article 610 for conducting “activities causing misapprehension with the discharge of public functions” and sent to pretrial detention ... If convicted, Chantha faces up to three years in prison.

IDEA works with informal workers and advocates for better living and work conditions, including improving access to government services. This includes disseminating information about registering and accessing benefits from the NSSF, which is a government-run program guaranteeing workers access to medical services and disability benefits.