Teachers Request Double Salary

By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
21 April 2008

Khmer audio aired April 21 (939KB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired April 21 (939KB) - Listen (MP3)

The Cambodian Independent Teachers Association on Monday requested a doubling of teacher salaries, as the cost of living continues to rise.

The price of consumer goods and fuel have put a strain on teachers, and a 20 percent raise would not be enough to cover the costs, the association said in a letter.

“If the government cannot lower the price of goods, the association asks it to double the salary of teachers to balance against the high price of goods,” said Rong Chhun, the association president.
Education Minister Kol Pheng could not be reached for comment.

Chea Se, undersecretary of state of the ministry, said he did not support the request.

“As a principle, we have to ask the government to help decrease the price of goods to balance with the salary,” he said.

The higher costs of living have put a bite on many of Cambodia’s poor, straining the already low wages of the nation’s educators.

The price of fuel reached 5,000 riel per liter Monday.

Chea Vannath, former executive director of the Center for Social Development, predicted a continued rise in the price of consumer goods following the price of fuel, thanks to the country’s dependence on imports.