Cambodian Ministry issues notification on Pchum Ben Holidays

Asia

The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has reminded employers of their obligation to give workers four days off during the Pchum Ben (Ancestors’ Day) holidays and provide salaries before it begins.

According to a notification issued by the ministry, the Pchum Ben holiday will be observed from Friday September 27th to Monday September 30th 2019. Pchum Ben Day is on Saturday September 28th.

The notification also said “If company owners cannot pay the salaries on time, they have to give at least 50 percent of workers’ salaries in advance.”

In Khmer, the language of Cambodia, Pchum means ‘to gather together’ and Ben means ‘a ball of food’. Pchum Ben, also called ‘Brochum Ben’ is the most important festival in the Khmer religious calendar. The day is a time for Cambodians to pay their respects to their ancestors of up to seven generations.

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