Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 20 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet instructed the listing of civil servants and contract employees with 10 or more years of service for medal awards, emphasizing the need for integrity, accuracy, and transparency in the process.
The premier spoke on Thursday (Mar. 20) during the closing ceremony of 2024 Ministry of Civil Service annual meeting at Premier Centre Sen Sok in Phnom Penh.
Regarding the medal awards, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet noted that the procedure has been in place for 24 years, since the issuance of Circular No. 01 in 2001. The circular allows applications for medals every two years, covering up to 10 percent of officials at both national and sub-national levels annually. He acknowledged the challenge of constant staff changes but affirmed that the Royal Government of Cambodia, in every mandate, has remained committed to this tradition.
Additionally, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet outlined two key principles:
First, Launch the initiative on a large scale by establishing a working group under the Council of Ministers to collaborate with relevant ministries and institutions. The task is to identify all eligible officials—both contract and non-contract—who have served 10 years or more and have never received a medal, and award them collectively. This is a priority task.
Second, Review and reconsider Circular No. 01. While awarding medals to 100% of eligible officials at once may not be feasible, adjustments should be made to the quota, scale, or flexibility to ensure deserving officials are recognized. Clear criteria based on work performance and discipline must be set. The process must be fair, accurate, and transparent, with strict measures to prevent non-performing officials from being included.
Samdech Thipadei instructed, “For these two tasks, the Council of Ministers has established a task force to expedite the process. Relevant ministries and sub-national institutions are requested to compile a list of officials who have served more than 10 years and have not yet received any medals.”
On the occasion, Prime Minister Hun Manet stressed that awarding a certificate or letter of appreciation should never be seen as insignificant. Every individual and official holds great value, and such recognition reflects their efforts and contributions. He added that civil servants deserve these forms of acknowledgment, which serve as important incentives beyond salaries and bonuses.
=FRESH NEWS
