The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 552
“The president of the Youth Council of Cambodia said that each year there are about 250,000 to 300,000 Cambodian young people seeking jobs throughout the country. On 14 March, Mr. Mak Sarath, the president of the Youth Council of Cambodia, told Khmer Sthapana that there are not enough open position on the market, which is still a problem for Cambodian society. He said the labor market is a main concern which Cambodian youths are facing, while a great number of Cambodian young people are looking for jobs. Some Cambodian youth accept even jobs that are not their skills, or they take a job even the salary is low.
“He continued that every year there are about 250,000 to 300,000 Cambodian youths needing jobs. A study showed that only one of nine graduates from various educational institutions can get a job.
“Mr. Rithy, a student at the Human Resources University, said that he has only two months left before he will finish his studies. But he doesn’t expect that he can find a job soon. He said, ‘I don’t expect that I can find a job like others, because I come from a rural area. I don’t have connections. In two months, I am going to obtain my bachelor degree, but it seems not to help me to get a job as the Cambodian labor market is still small.’
“He continued that he and most of his classmates have sought to find jobs while they were studying, but failed to get any, while others who have strong connections could get a job easily, even though they did not go to study often. Jobs are only available for those who have connections, but for those who do not have strong connections – their job hunt is hopeless.
“Recently, a student of the Royal University of Phnom Penh said, ‘After graduation, I may be very happy. But unfortunately, I may be sad instead, when I cannot get a job and have to return to my home province.’
“Mr. Mak Sarath said that policy makers should consider this problem in order to set national development strategies. If this trend continues, then a social crisis, with problems such as sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and social unrest, will occur.
“Until now, Cambodia does not have an accurate number about its population; a national census is underway. According to a figure, most Cambodian people are young citizens.
“Mr. Mak Sarath said that according to statistics, among 7,000,000 people who are eligible to vote, 50 percent are younger than 35.
“He continued, ‘Based on this figure, it is a problem that we have to worry about, and there have to be proposals to the government so that this problem can be solved.’ He suggested that the government should prepare policies and strategies on youth education so that young people can choose proper skills. He continued, ‘The Royal Government should improve and strengthen the quality of education, and educational strategies must be compatible with market demands. As for the youth, they should not choose their courses by following their friends; they have to analyze and observe the labor market. Sometimes, the market needs lower-skilled workers more than engineers, but the government does not train lower-skilled workers. Hence, who works as a worker? The young people also need to know how to choose their skills. They should not choose their courses based on seeing their friends choosing accounting or marketing.’
“He said one company does not need many accountants or many people in marketing.” Khmer Sthapana, Vol.1, #5, 15-18.3.2008
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Monday, 17 March 2008
Chalna Sangkum, Vol.3, #14, 17.3.2008
- Prince Ranariddh Calls to Create Large Opposition Party
Chuoy Khmer, Vol.2, #65, 17.3.2008
- Human Rights Party Appeals to Government to Prevent the Increase of Prices of Goods in Markets
- Leaders of Human Rights Organizations and Khmer Kampuchea Krom Federation Go to Show to UN Their Reports on Human Rights Violations
- Does Sralanh Khmer Suspend Publication after the Editor Has Joined the Cambodian People’s Party? [it is said that the printing house owner was threatened through telephone by an anonymous person to stop printing Sralanh Khmer after Thach Ket, the editor, had jointed the Cambodian People’s Party]
- Khmer Rouge Tribunal Needs Approximately $114 Million for Trial of [former] Khmer Rouge Leaders
- Cambodian People’s Party Carries Gifts to People in Order to Ask for Votes to Retain Power
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1594, 16-17.3.2008
- [Director of Sambok Khmum Radio] Mam Sonando Requests [president of Human Rights Party] Mr. Kem Sokha to Apologize [to the citizens for not joining with other democratic parties]
- Mikado Club Searched on Suspicion of Taking Nude Pictures of Khmer Women to Post Them on a Web Site [15 March – Daun Penh, Phnom Penh]
Thai Delegation Led by Mr. Samak [new Thai Prime Minister] Visits Burma
Khmer Sthapana, Vol.1, #5, 15-18.3.2008
- About 250,000 to 300,000 Cambodian Young People Are Seeking Jobs Every Year
Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6298, 17.3.2008
- Leaders of Commerce of Five Countries [Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, and Vietnam] Meet Today [in Siem Reap] to Discuss Commerce Reforms for ASEAN Integration
- For 12 Years, [South] Korea Is Leading in Investments in Cambodia
- Delegation of Cambodian Chamber of Commerce and Small Scale Industries Visits Malaysia
- Small Trees Are Cut and Burned and Big Trees Are Ringbarked [allegedly by some powerful people – Kratie]
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.15, #3314, 17.3.2008
- In Forth Term Elections, Cambodian People’s Party Will Use “Clean Hands” Campaign [by convincing people who do not support it not to vote, with promise of providing them $20 to $100 – according to an official of the Cambodian People’s Party]
- Eng Chhay Ieng [secretary-general of the Sam Rainsy Party]: The Sam Rainsy Party Did Not Threaten Ruling Party [as Hun Sen said]
Investments Strongly Decline because of Serious Corruption and Bureaucracy - Donor Countries Should Use Their Contributions to Promote Transparency and Effectiveness in the Process of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal
- Prime Minister Pushes Implementation of Land Traffic Law While Cars Are Tagged with Military and Police Licenses Illegally
- Hun Sen Should Also Be Thrifty over Spending on Bodyguards
- Khsach Kandal and Lvea Aem District Residents Fear 7NG Company Will Rob Their Land [Kandal]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4542, 16-17.3.2008
- Different Parties Deny Competing with Each Other to Be Partners of the Cambodian People’s Party
- Sralanh Khmer Suspends Publication [without reason mentioned]
- More Than 60 People [including officials, armed forces, and local authorities] Are on Black List of Involvement in Forest Crimes [Pursat]
- Thai Investment Company [Dragon One] Plans to Build Coal Powerhouse in Pailin
- Thai Embassy Will Issue Tourist Visas in One-and-a-Half Days [from 16 April]
- Gold Sellers [husband and wife] at Phsar Leu Thom Thmei Followed and Robbed in Their House of $5,000 and 70 Chi of Gold [approx. $8,470 – 14 March – Siem Reap]
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.15, #3271, 1.3.2008
- Norodom Ranariddh Party Condemns an Attempt to Close UN Human Rights Office in Cambodia
Job loss or unemployment shall be the responsibilities of three stakeholders: Students, Academic Institutions, and Government.
The three shall share these responsibilities and commit to find the roots of job loss or unemployment in Cambodia and to find a solution(s).
So far, I have not seen any measures from the three stakeholders. Cambodian students need to be steered to be confident by the universities and other social realities, Universities need to do a job-market research about the topics they are offering, and government shall be a facilitator or mediator of the aforesaid stakeholders. I suggest to invite those students who have succesfully have a good job after graduation or other professionals who have feelings to better students’ job prospect as a start.
Vicheka Lay
Researcher