May 29-31, 2013 SOMADEVI ANGKOR HOTEL Siem Riep, Cambodia Conclusion and way forward for Cambodia By: HENG Sour Director General of Administration and Finance Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training

CONCLUSION-1: I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all experts on Social Protection from various countries, continents, and international organizations for sincerely share their good practices and experiences to the workshop. We learnt a lot from our presenters who not only coming from developing countries but also a very advanced county like France. I am glad that all presenters acknowledge the importance of Social Protection as part of the development policy to ensure social justice, and guarantee of access to opportunity. Each country trying her best in defining coordination mechanism, targeting group, program or activity to support the targeting group, mean of service delivery and cash transfer, mean to keep program or activity alive, mechanism to improve the current programs and activities, and way forward.

CONCLUSION-2: Cambodia is one of leading members of ASEAN to bring forward Social Protection into ASEAN focus. Therefore, this is an opportunity for Cambodia to map herself out where is she right now among the Social Protection champions. There are many similar programs or activities but nature, targeting group, coverage period, source of finance, and level of government body are differences. These programs are: Brazil’s BOLSA VERDE program is similar to Cambodia rural area land title distribution campaign to enhance rural and agricultural development. Indonesia PWP is merely same as Cambodia, and it is considering as one of the success programs in Cambodia. It not only serve as the SP but also rural infrastructure development tool.

CONCLUSION-3: The programs Cambodia keens to learn more are: India’s LabourNet because it is considering as part of active labour market policy tool, and the program ability to mobilize both job seekers and job provider together is very impressive. It ability to convince government and private sector to help financing its activity is highly noted. India pilot program on PeopleService Center is touching Cambodia’s heart because it share Cambodia commitment to Decentralization & Deconcentrilzation policy. Cambodia is gradually interating more and more social service to her PeopleService alike namely, Single Window Service (SWS). At the same time, Thailand universal health care, Vietnam unemployment insurance, and Malaysia return to work program is a medium and long term program that Cambodia dreams to catch up.

CONCLUSION-4: There are many other good programs or activities but with the limitation of fiscal space and young experience Cambodia need more time to study. One thing, I notice is that regardless whether it is a program of an advanced economy or developing economy, vocational training or skill development is considering as the long term mean to move SP’s targeting group of our poverty. With all the good practices learnt in the workshop, Cambodia need to layout a strategy to move her SPF forward.

WAY FORWARD-Short term: Make sure, NSPS well captured into each line Ministry Medium term Budget Expenditure Strategy, Ministry Strategic Development Plan for , National Strategic Development Plan for , and next government development strategy that is Rectangular strategy alike. All these strategies are under the process of drafting. Re-review whether is there any program or activity left out of SP Scheme or whether there is any duplication of service. Improve existing Coordination Mechanism especially with sub government. Expansion and enhancing Single Window Service in provincial level. Line ministry should delegate more social service to SWS or at least provide more information to SWS. Keep commitment to introduce Health Insurance for formal in private sector, and Disable people cash transfer by 2013.

WAY FORWARD - Short and Medium term: Introduction of universal health care for informal sector. Introduction of National Employment Strategy that address: Clear linkage of SPF and employment Focus on youth employment, improve quality of job (decent work), and assuring good working condition Migration management system to protect the right of migrant worker in both sending and hosting coutry. Enhancing Active Labour Market Tool Introduction of National Strategy for TVET Introduction of TVETMIS, EMIS, and improve quality of LMI. National Qualification Framework in line with AQRF National Competency Standard in line with ASEAN’s MRA Keep building capacity of implementation unit. Keep raising awareness of SPF availability. Cooperation with ASEAN on Social Security, Pension, & OSH

WAY FORWARD-Long term: Enhancing productivity of farm and non farm sector through government intervention such as skill development strategy, sectorial development strategy, access to credit. Improving management of information system of beneficiary of social protection. Introduce pension system for formal sector, and cash transfer for elderly poor people. Bringing public private partnership, and contribution culture into social protection. Expansion of SP program and increase level of vocational training. Thank you! Welcome back to Cambodia!