The Cambodian National Assembly here on Friday approved the Amendments of the Labor Law to create more jobs and attract more foreign companies to invest in the kingdom.

Two new articles were adopted to provide 150,000 to 200,000 jobs for the Cambodians, Minister of Vocational Training and Labor Vong Sot told reporters.

The new articles also stipulated that nightshift salary should be 30 percent higher than daytime, he said. The ratio stood at 100 percent before the amendments.

"If we didn't decrease nightshift salary, investors will leave Cambodia for other countries," he said, adding that the country was a member of the World Trade Organization and had to compete with others.

The new articles were expected to provide huge advantage for the kingdom's economic and social development and especially benefit young people in employment and poverty reduction, he said.

Senior National Assembly member Ho Noun told reporters that the new articles aimed to facilitate the kingdom's future industries like oil refinery and cement production, while bearing little impact on employees working at garment factories.

Garment is Cambodia's pillar industry. The kingdom expects to start oil and gas production in the next two years.

Source: Xinhua