Labour Ministry denies claims over NSSF faults
Another player to enter market for cashless pay
OFFICIALS from the Labour Ministry’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) have denied allegations that its partner clinics offer poor medical treatment and discriminated against garment workers who checked in using the NSSF-issued ID card.
NSSF said in a statement that the facts were being “distorted” and dismissed claims that garment workers did not receive good-quality medicines or proper care compared to those who paid for their hospital visits.
It also denied rumours that the cards would be discontinued shortly after the July 29 elections.
“We wish to clarify to the public and garment workers holding NSSF cards that there is no difference in the treatment and medicine provided to them or paying customers at any partner hospital,” said an NSSF statement dated June 10.
The statement also said that NSSF cards will not have an expiry date and that if an NSSF cardholder heard others distorting the facts, it should be reported to the authorities so legal action could be taken.
Chhea Vino, a union chief at Top Summit factory in Phnom Penh, said his union has received several complaints from workers who used the NSSF cards.
“We used to receive complaints from workers that those who paid for treatment received faster and better services. Medicine that is given to patients was also of poor quality and not effective, forcing them to seek further treatment at private clinics,” he claimed.
Vino said the NSSF’s “clarification” mattered little because the complaints are real.
Ath Thon, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union, said his members had heard that NSSF services are “not good”. However, he admitted that there is no clear evidence of this.
“NSSF should not be angry or threaten legal action. They should investigate to determine whether the claims about poor quality are true. And if true, improve the quality to make it better. How can you improve the situation if you restrict people’s criticism?” he asked.
Kul Than, 38, who has been working at Top Summit factory since 2013, said during her menstruation last month, she lost a lot of blood and a friend took her to an NSSF partner clinic for treatment.
She claimed that after she was checked in with her NSSF card, she was told to wait for treatment because it was the staff ’s dinner time.
“After waiting for 30 minutes, I was told to go to another hospital because no doctor was available. When I heard that, I felt very scared because we came to get help from a doctor,” she said.
As of press time, NSSF spokesman Cheav Bunrith had not responded to The Post’s requests for comment. REVENUE Group Bhd, a Malaysia-based cashless payment solutions provider, has unveiled plans to expand its business in Cambodia and Myanmar, saying it will use some part of the capital it raises from an initial public offering (IPO).
Malaysian daily The Star said that Revenue Group Bhd expects to raise 20.61 million ringgit ($5.17 million) from its IPO at Bursa Malaysia Berhad, the Malaysian stock exchange, and will utilise the proceeds on several different fronts.
Group CEO Eddie Ng Chee Siong said the company has been looking for a strategic partnership with local companies in Cambodia and Myanmar and plans to use 1.5 million ringgit ($376,132) for business expansions in the two countries.
“We believe there is potential for growth in electronic payment solutions in these countries [Cambodian and Myanmar] as their electronic payments systems are still in a growth stage,” Chee Siong said.
He continued that the company planned to use IPO funds for capital expenditures, upgrading and enhancing its revPAY platform, to recruit more information technology staff and to repay bank loans.
Under its proposed listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities Bhd, Revenue Group is scheduled to list on July 18.
Plenty of competitors
Mobile payment platforms are quickly gaining traction and providing a new channel to promote financial inclusion in Cambodia. Local firm Pi Pay has taken a lead among mobile payment services as the app has been downloaded over 210,000 times since its launch in July last year.
Other local apps are competing for a share of the growing mobile payment market, including DaraPay, Bongluy, GrabPay and Smartluy.
In addition, several banks have rolled out their own payment platforms, either as standalone apps or as part of their online banking platforms. Acleda Bank last April launched its new cashless ewallet product, called Acleda Unity ToanChet.
In Channy, president and group managing director of Acleda Bank, said on Monday that mobile phones have transformed the lives of many Cambodians and mobile financial services are providing more convenience in everyday life.
“It is good to have more operators in the market as they will help consumers realise the benefit of new technologies,” he said, adding any player that enters the market and complies with requirements from Cambodian financial regulators will benefit consumers.