GIZ Cambodia’s Post

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Sreynet Samnang, a young woman from Cambodia, skillfully navigates her motorcycle through the busy streets of Phnom Penh on her daily commute. She comes from the rural area 3 hours from the capital. As the second eldest daughter of 6 children, she tries to financially support her family in the countryside. So, after the 9th grade, she moved to Phnom Penh in search of work. Dreams of further education were abandoned and the well-being of her family was prioritized. Phnom Penh has been her home for 2 years now. From Monday to Saturday, Sreynet drives through the crowded city to her place of work – a garment factory. There she is employed as a textile worker and sews countless garments, often 10 hours a day. Her salary averages $300, half of which she sends to live with her family in the countryside. Opportunities for advancement in the factory are low, working conditions are often precarious and wages are low. But Sreynet wants more than that – to acquire knowledge and to educate himself. One day, her friend Pisey tells her about WE House. The WE House serves as a meeting place for textile workers and offers a range of services and trainings to improve the living conditions of textile workers - like those of Sreynet. The trainings take place on Sundays, the only day off for the workers. In addition, the WE House advises female textile workers on psychological and legal issues. Sreynet is enthusiastic about what is on offer at WE House and has been attending computer courses there regularly ever since to further his education. "Before WE House, I didn't know where to go. Now I have a space to learn, relax and be myself without spending a dime." But the WE House isn't just about acquiring skills; it's also about empowerment – empowering women workers to stand up for their interests. The Sunday training sessions have given her a new understanding of social protection, pensions and even how to deal with labour disputes. Sreynet says that through the trainings, she has a better understanding of her labor rights. With the newly acquired knowledge from the computer courses, Sreynet would like to carry out an office job in the future.

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