Pay Cut Threat to Royal Academy Absentees
Academy president Sok Touch said his research showed that most of these absent officials were older. Photo: Sok Touch Facebook
- By Mao Sopha
- and Meng Seavmey
- December 15, 2022 7:00 PM
PHNOM PENH – The head of the Royal Academy of Cambodia wants to return to cash payments for staff to make it easier to cut the pay of those who fail to turn up for work.
Academy president Sok Touch said his research showed that most of these absent officials were older. Some worked for private companies where they were offered $500 to $1,000 per month.
“They don’t care about work because the salary is sent to their accounts already,” he said.
“There’s no problem if they don’t work. It’s been a long-time habit for 20 years, and it can’t be changed.
“I am strict. That explains why many officials come to work now but some remain the same.”
Direct deposit salary payments encouraged staff not to work properly, he said. Paying staff who don’t work puts a burden on taxpayers.
He said the Royal Academy has to ask the national administration to cut staff pay but there were many procedures with the bank.
It would be easier for the Royal Academy to make cash deductions from staff who don’t carry out their duties. The pay cut would be added to the national budget.
Touch spoke of the problem at a ceremony of Leadership Goodwill Ambassador and Leader’s Wisdom on Dec. 12.
He said he wanted to ask the government in the next mandate to revert to the old payment method for Royal Academy staff.
He believed that cash payments will encourage staff to fulfil their duties because they will not be paid if they do not sign in.
Ministry of Civil Service Secretary of State Chhoeun Bunnarath, said Touch’s views were personal and his statement was unofficial.
Because there was no official request, Bunnarath could not comment further.
The government has been boosting the use of direct deposit payments since 2014-15 because of their speed and transparency, Bunnarath said.
If officials are not doing their job, the institution director has the right to make an evaluation based on procedures to seek suitable punishment.
San Chey, executive director at the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability (ANSA), said direct pay deposits were in line with modernization of technology due to their convenience and effectiveness in Cambodia and across the world.
If Sok Touch had done research on non-working staff, there should be a strengthened digital system to ensure their performance.
