Ministers Commit to Fair and Transparent Recruitment of Officers
Civil Service Minister Hun Many (standing) and Agriculture Minister Dith Tina (sitting) greet reporters at the press conference on Dec. 4. Photo: Nhek Sreyleak
- By Nhek Sreyleak
- December 5, 2023 10:50 AM
PHNOM PENH – Ministers of Civil Service and Agriculture are committed to fairness and transparency in the upcoming exam to recruit agricultural agents.
As agriculture is one of Cambodia's most important sectors, with millions of people depending on their crops for their livelihoods, it is fundamental to recruit qualified agents to work at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), said Civil Service Minister Hun Many and Agriculture Minister Dith Tina.
The exam will take place on Dec. 17, and has seen over 12,000 people register for just 250 available positions in 250 communes in 17 provinces, Hun Many said at a press conference on Dec. 4.
But only 3,329 people have fulfilled the pre-requirements to take the exam, he added.
“Some applicants filled inaccurate information. Others didn’t have the required skills,” Many said.
The minister of civil service said the exam will be conducted transparently and fairly, and will see the involvement of the Anti-Corruption Unit.
Agriculture Minister Dith Tina said that the ministry aims to deploy an additional 1,600 officials in 1,552 communes that have been identified as having agricultural activities.
While only 250 new agents will be recruited in the first phase, more positions will be available in the future to reach that 1,600 agents cap.
Tina said that the exam aims to select competent, intelligent, diligent and willing officials to help farmers across the country. The recruitment is in line with the ministry’s vision to ensure food security, agricultural sustainability, and to find the appropriate balance between development and conservation. It also aims to modernize agricultural practices to compete with neighboring countries.
“The key to transparency is [to give] equal opportunity to participate and to be fair,” said Tina.
“Justice means that the exam is rigorously organized, with questions being unveiled only on the exam day.”
Civil Service Minister Hun Many added that the test will follow the same principles as the Grade 12 exam: “Those who know pass.”
Candidates who pass will receive a minimum salary of 1,400,000 riel (around $350) a month and receive a monthly allowance of 160,000 riels (around $40), as well as other benefits attached to the civil servant status.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this article was translated by Torn Chanritheara for Cambodianess.
