• Society

Artisans Angkor Reopens Souvenir Shop After Three Years COVID-19 Closure

• By Isa Rohany
• February 26, 2024 4:00 PM

SIEM REAP – The handicraft company Artisans Angkor has reopened its souvenir shop after a three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, giving back job opportunities to their elder staff.

Located in the heart of Siem Reap city, the company used the pandemic period to refurbish and expand its shop, which opened on Feb. 24, four months after it resumed activities in October last year. 

The new shop has a wider handicraft space for wooden and stone sculptures, lacquered panels, silk scarves, and silver-plated decorations production.

Artisans Angkor Chairman Kay Lot said to date, 250 workers have resumed their work after being suspended for three years. 

“Artisans Angkor, like other businesses, was severely affected by COVID-19,” he said. “As we have recovered and the number of tourists in the province has risen, we can set up our business again. Although it might not be as good as before COVID-19, we are hoping that the company can fully be operated.”

Artisans Angkor suspended about 1,000 workers on May 30, 2020, after it saw its activity plummet due to the lack of tourists during the pandemic. Workers’ contracts were not terminated but suspended.

Last year, workers demanded compensation for unpaid salaries while the company was facing bankruptcy if investment could not be sought.

The company also has a plan to establish a silk center in Puok district, located just 15 kilometers west of Siem Reap, in mid-2024.

Since it reopened its doors, Artisans Angkor has had up to 1,000 visitors a day, many of whom are European tourists interested in sculptures, silk carvings, and weaving.  

Wood sculpture artist So Makara said he has been with Artisans for 20 years and is over the moon as the company has resumed its work.

For Kay Lot, Artisans has played a role in promoting Khmer culture and arts as well as restoring the tourism sector in the province. Those who are interested in learning about the Khmer culture and art can visit Artisans as the place also provides guides to assist tourists, he said.

Artisans Angkor was established about 25 years ago as a social enterprise that evolved from an educational project called Vocational Training School implemented by the Ministry of Education, the French Government, and programs of the European Union that focus on vocational training, job creation, and employment for trained and trained Artisans.

 

Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this article was translated by Nhor Sokhoeurn for Cambodianess.