Thousands of Cambodian garment workers have lost their jobs as global markets contract and governments enact drastic measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. As the US and European economies are almost close to a halt now, Cambodian industry insiders recently cautioned that further downturns and job losses are inevitable in the country.
Fifty five factories in the country applied to suspend operations in early February due to a shortage of raw materials and textiles from China, affecting about 15,000 jobs, according to Ken Loo, secretary general of the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC).
With Chinese supply gradually returning to normal, Loo said, 20 of those 55 suspended factories have now resumed operations.
