Congress Adopts Draft Resolutions on Social Protection Systems and Informal Economy

Phnom Penh: The inaugural session of the National Assembly-Senate Congress adopted two key draft Resolutions on social protection systems and the informal economy during its first day of deliberations on June 2. The meeting, which spanned from 8:00 a.m. until midnight, was chaired by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate. According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Resolution on social protection systems underscores the Royal Government's strategic priorities to enhance the country's social protection framework. It emphasizes the importance of these systems for national resilience and sustainable development. The Congress commended government initiatives aimed at delivering essential services to vulnerable populations, highlighting the necessity for social protection to adapt to evolving socio-economic conditions. A significant aspect of the Resolution is the endorsement of a comprehensive approach that involves government agencies, civil society, and citizens in crafting and exe cuting social protection policies. The Congress urged the expansion of universal health coverage, social security schemes, and pension reforms to create a sustainable safety net capable of withstanding economic fluctuations. Additionally, the Resolution called for ongoing legal reforms to fortify the institutional framework, encouraging both legislative chambers to support future legislative endeavors that address emerging challenges in social protection. These reforms are deemed essential to ensure policies remain adaptable, inclusive, and protective of vulnerable groups. This initiative reflects Cambodia's dedication to making social protection a central component of its long-term development strategy by integrating inclusive policies to ensure no one is excluded and fostering a society resilient to socio-economic changes. The Resolution aims to advance the modernization of Cambodia's social protection system, aligning it with national priorities of sustainability, social equity, and resilience, thereby r einforcing the country's path toward achieving high-income status by 2050. Regarding the second Resolution, the National Assembly and Senate endorsed and praised the Royal Government's National Strategy for Informal Economic Development 2023-2028. This strategy was acknowledged as a timely and suitable response to Cambodia's current and future economic and social landscape during the 7th legislative mandate. The Congress lauded the government's efforts to promote, support, and empower citizens involved in the informal economy by creating business development opportunities and improving living standards. Significant measures have been implemented, including a sub-decree on registering informal economy workers, the development of a digital registration platform, and support measures in taxation, vocational training, social protection, finance, and banking, alongside monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, informed the Congress t hat the government had launched the National Strategy for Informal Economic Development 2023-2028 as one of six priority policy programs. Its objective is to enable participants in the informal economy to grow, integrate into the formal system, and access the country's social protection benefits. According to the Cambodian Labour Force Survey 2019, among the estimated 7.9 million members of the national labor force, only 21.5 percent, or 1.7 million, work in the formal economy, with the majority-6.2 million-employed in the informal sector. Most informal workers lack access to essential services, making them particularly vulnerable during crises. As of June 2, 2025, a total of 80,421 informal economy actors have submitted applications through the digital platform, including 3,246 employees of micro-enterprises, 1,773 micro-enterprises, and 75,401 self-employed individuals, as noted by the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MISTI). The National Strategy for Informal Economic Developme nt serves as a strategic tool for the Royal Government, aimed at facilitating the integration of the informal economy into the formal sector sustainably, enabling them to actively contribute to national economic growth, as emphasized by MISTI. The National Assembly-Senate Congress continues this morning to deliberate on the final agenda item: the agricultural sector.