Cambodia bans foreigners from running 10 types of small businesses

[geovalin]

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Wednesday issued a directive to bar foreign nationals from self-employment in 10 categories of jobs.

 

Signed by Minister of Labor and Vocational Training Ith Samheng, the directive said self-employed foreigners are banned from being taxi, tuk-tuk and rickshaw drivers; barbers and beauticians; street vendors; massage therapists at public places; shoe sewers and polishers; tailors; car repairmen; Khmer souvenir producers; Khmer musical instrument and Buddha statue makers; and goldsmiths and gem cutters.

 

"The Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training will neither grant, nor extend the validity of employment book or card for any foreigners who are running the above-stated businesses," the minister said. "Anyone violating this directive will be fined and punished in accordance with the Labor Law and other effective regulations."

 

According to a Labor Ministry report, there are more than 160,000 foreigners from 93 countries and regions living and working in Cambodia.

Usually, self-employed foreigners in Cambodia have to pay 180 U.S. dollars per year for long-term visas and another 130 dollars per year for an employment book or card.

 

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-08/28/c_138345770.htm

 

[NanLaew]

If one wants some sort of yardstick for comparative economic and social development, this edict reminds me of Thailand, circa 1976...

[GeorgeCross]

"bar owners" will be breathing a collective sigh of relief ????

[neeray]

South Asian tailors WON'T be breathing a sigh of relief.

[Cereal]

Cheap! It's 1/2 the price of similar paperwork there than in Laos. 

[Jan Dietz]

And so it begins...

[heybuz]

Thank god for that brothel proprietor is not there.55

[AlexRich]

Boiler room scammers can breathe easy ... but that’s my plans to run a Tuk Tuk service abandoned. 

[VBF]

I wonder if this is a belated reaction to the number of Chinese business in Sihanoukville

 

This video gives some more detail - see the interview with the TukTuk driver whose job is threatened by Chinese drivers

 

 

Edited August 29, 2019 by VBF

[phuketrichard]

Before today, a foreigner could get a wp and EB extension for being slef employed;

 

NOW  NO MORE

Quote

 

The Labour Ministry yesterday issued a directive banning foreign nationals from working as taxi drivers, street vendors and a handful of other jobs in the informal sector.

Labour Minister Ith Samheng in the directive said foreigners are also banned from working as tuk-tuk drivers, truck drivers, barbers, masseuses, hairdressers, goldsmiths, shoeshiners, traditional instrument sellers, Buddha statue sellers, souvenir sellers and mechanics. Foreigners are also banned from running a small business and being self-employed.

 

“A self-employed person refers to those who work and have income without an employer,” Mr Samheng said in the directive.

He said that the Labour Ministry will no longer issue or renew work permits for foreigners working these jobs, and those who failed to comply with the directive could be punished under the Labour Laws.

 

Quote

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50638117/foreigners-banned-from-informal-jobs/?fbclid=IwAR0UxSJZr1jrLiLrfK3BZfSgJGkg17TxaEeBpszrXoTDCYTbi6AI59hYiyI

[Searat7]

They forgot to ban newspaper owners.

[Redline]

Can’t even live on the jobs they listed-so no worries from the Chinese that now own the country 

[madmen]

Before today, a foreigner could get a wp and EB extension for being slef employed;
 
NOW  NO MORE

 
The Labour Ministry yesterday issued a directive banning foreign nationals from working as taxi drivers, street vendors and a handful of other jobs in the informal sector.
Labour Minister Ith Samheng in the directive said foreigners are also banned from working as tuk-tuk drivers, truck drivers, barbers, masseuses, hairdressers, goldsmiths, shoeshiners, traditional instrument sellers, Buddha statue sellers, souvenir sellers and mechanics. Foreigners are also banned from running a small business and being self-employed.
  “A self-employed person refers to those who work and have income without an employer,” Mr Samheng said in the directive.
He said that the Labour Ministry will no longer issue or renew work permits for foreigners working these jobs, and those who failed to comply with the directive could be punished under the Labour Laws.
 

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50638117/foreigners-banned-from-informal-jobs/?fbclid=IwAR0UxSJZr1jrLiLrfK3BZfSgJGkg17TxaEeBpszrXoTDCYTbi6AI59hYiyI
The screws are tightening all across SEA

[DaRoadrunner]

6 hours ago, Jan Dietz said:

And so it begins...

Is there an echo here? Cambodia tightening the regs just like Thailand. Too late, the Chinese already own the place. As for us, we are no longer wanted.

[phycokiller]

there goes my dream of being a tuk tuk driver. almost had saved the money to buy one as well . oh well