Tuesday, 18 March 2008

About 250,000 to 300,000 Cambodian Young People Are Seeking Jobs Every Year

Posted on 18 March 2008.
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

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