Law Digest 2025

February

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Employment

This instruction aims to enhance working conditions for pregnant female employees, and safeguard their rights and well-being at the workplace both during and after pregnancy.

With regard to pregnant female employees, employers are:

• Prohibited from engaging in discrimination in relation to job opportunities, contract renewals, increases in wages and working benefits.
• Required to provide the wages the employee is entitled to before and during maternity leave.
• Prohibited from suspending the employment contract of the employee for a period of nine months following maternity leave, except where the suspension affects an entire department or all employees.
• Encouraged to automatically renew the employment contract of a female employee who is pregnant or is within one year of giving birth.
• Prohibited from terminating the employment contract of a female employee who is pregnant or is within one year of giving birth, except in cases of serious misconduct.
• Required to obtain the labor inspector’s prior review and approval before terminating the employment contract of female employee who is pregnant or is within one year of giving birth.

Employers that fail to comply with the above will liable under the applicable labor law and regulations.

Commerce

Sub-Decree No. 287 dated December 31, 2021 on the Management and Use of National Domain Names on the Internet requires that all legal entities registered in Cambodia to use the Cambodian domain name “.kh”. However, the Ministry of Information has found that there are still online businesses in the information and audiovisual sector using foreign domain names.

In order to establish an official online identity, enhance brand credibility, and improve searchability, the Ministry of Information has issued this notification to require that businesses to take the following actions:

• New businesses: All new online media businesses must register and use the Cambodian domain name ending with “.kh”.
• Existing businesses using foreign domain names: These businesses must transition to a Cambodian domain name ending with “.kh” by the end of 2025.
• Businesses that have a website permit but operate primarily on social media: These businesses must review and transition to a Cambodian domain name ending with “.kh” by the end of March 2025. Failure to do so will result in action being taken by the Ministry of Information.

Domain name registration can be completed through the National Domain Registration Service website at https://www.domain.gov.kh/.

Associations and NGOs

This is the fourth notification issued by the MOI to urge associations and non-governmental organizations (“NGOs”) to comply with the following obligations as set out in the Law on Associations and Non-Profit Organizations:

• Notify the MOI and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (“MEF”) in writing of the details of their bank accounts used for their operations in Cambodia within 30 days of the date of registration. Already registered associations and NGOs who have not yet complied with this requirement have until the end of May 2025 to provide this information to the MOI and the MEF.
• For NGOs only, submit an annual summary report of work activities and an annual financial report to the MOI and the MEF no later than the end of February 2025. However, NGOs that receive financial support from donors must send the above reports with a copy of all the original documents sent to the donor within 30 days from the date of submission to the donor. Additionally, they must submit one copy of the project proposal, work plan, and financial agreement approved by the donor within 30 days from the date of approval. This report must be kept at the organization’s head office for a minimum of 5 years.
• Notify the MOI within 15 days from the date of any of the following changes, with all relevant updated documents attached: statute amendments, changes in headquarters, changes in leadership positions (such as the chairperson or executive director), or modifications to bank information.

Additionally, associations and NGOs are not permitted to engage in any activity that:

• Contradicts the statutes registered with the MOI, existing laws, or the regulations in force.
• Is aimed at generating profit for personal interest or to share financial gains.

May pose a threat to national security, the public order, the unity, culture, tradition, or social customs of Cambodia.

January

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Real Estate

Effective from January 7, 2025, the MLMUPC has announced the trial launch of additional online services to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of public service delivery. The scope of the trial will cover only properties located in Phnom Penh. The new online services are as follows:

• Automated number registration
• Land consolidation
• Land division without transferring ownership
• Land division with exclusive sale
• Land division with exclusive gift
• Division of co-owned building strata title
• Division of ownership over a co-ownership property

These online services are available through the official MLMUPC portals at https://mlmupc.gov.kh/ or https://cadastral.mlmupc.gov.kh. Applicants will need to complete the required blank fields on the online application and upload the necessary supporting documents. Once all information is completed and preliminarily verified, applicants will then submit the final application through the online system for review by the MLMUPC.

Please note that as of now, there is no clear guideline as to whether the services can be done completely online or will require applicants to visit the authority’s office in person.

Labor

The MLVT has announced the launch of its mobile public service counters, which offers 15 essential services by utilizing advanced technology. This initiative aims to provide fast, secure, and convenient access to crucial information and services, particularly for individuals seeking job opportunities both locally and abroad, while also helping to reduce instances of fraudulent recruitment practices.

The services can be accessed via mobile counters that the MLVT has installed in various convenient locations, such as cafes, shops, supermarkets, universities, and other public spaces. They are also available through a mobile app accessed via a QR code. The MLVT plans to expand its installation of mobile counters in April to enhance accessibility.

Some of the key services are as follows:

• For job seekers
• For employers
• For overseas job seekers
• Skills and TVET enrollment
• Social security registration
• Cambodian employment book and worker card
• MLVT public service tracking
• Anonymous complaint box