Socheata Vong

Advertisers Must Be More Responsible
 Letter to the Editor
The Cambodia Daily
Thursday, May 25, 2006

I am greatly dismayed and frustrated by adverts showing Cambodian women drinking wine and beer, with their faces expressing satisfaction. Companies are profit-oriented, but to think they should maximize their profits without taking business ethics or social implications into account would be insane.

Is society so greatly changed that drinking is part of Cambodian women’s socializing? I seriously doubt it.

I am greatly saddened by the thought that the beautiful culture and tradition of Cambodian women, which has been so well maintained for centuries, is being destroyed by a few businesses and reckless film stars. The view that Cambodian women are gentle, calm and reserved is fading away.

I can’t help fear that if this recklessness is not well addressed, sooner or later we will see our actresses smoke the way men do on television.

Vong Socheata,
Phnom Penh

Cambodian Workers, Teachers Deserve Better Living Standards
Letter to the Editor
The Cambodia Daily
Wednesday, May 3, 2006

May 1 marked the 120th International Labor Day, where workers around the world assemble to make large protests to demand better working conditions.

Under the Cambodian Constitution, Cambodian people have the right to a peaceful assembly or march. But have their rights so far been properly exercised?

The government often raises the fear of affecting social order, and banning protests is common. But have there been solutions concerning wage increases?

I read the story on Monday “Workers Rally for May Day Despite Gov’t Ban”(page 1) and saw a comment from one top government official saying that raising wages and reducing work hours would deter investors. I wonder if demands for a wage rise were met, would it result in deterring foreign investment?

Look at the current living conditions of workers and public teachers. Their wages remain the same but the price of goods for daily consumption continues to get higher.

It is unbelievable to compare the low wages with the high price of goods.
Who feels the pain of workers? Who knows the difficulties of their lives?
Has the 1997 Cambodian Labor Law effectively ensured workers’ rights and their working conditions?

Do Cambodia teachers and workers have to continue surviving under such poor living standards?

Vong Socheata,
Phnom Penh