Phnom Penh: Most workers in Cambodia, as well as citizens and other employees, have returned to work as usual after taking a paid leave for the Khmer New Year holiday, and some workers have been back to work since April 18.

As the Khmer New Year celebrations come to a close, workers across Cambodia have returned to their regular work routines. The three-day public holiday, which is one of the most important traditional festivals in the country, saw many employees taking time off to celebrate with family and friends. Now, businesses and government offices are back to full operation, with workers resuming their usual schedules.

Employers and employees typically observe the holiday by granting annual leave, allowing workers to enjoy the festivities. After the break, workers are expected to return to their standard working hours, which are regulated by Cambodian labor law to be 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. Overtime work, if required, is compensated at a higher rate. This year, the return to work has been smooth, with no major disruptions reported.

In recent years, there have been occasional government advisories encouraging workers to maintain work routines during the holiday to prevent health risks such as the spread of COVID-19. However, this year, with the situation improving, the traditional holiday break was fully observed. As normalcy returns, businesses are optimistic about productivity and economic activity picking