IN BRIEF

Myanmar’s Copyright Law 2019 was enacted on May 24, 2019 and the Ministry of Commerce issued the Copyright Rules with the Notification No. 70/2023, dated October 23, 2023. The Copyright Law and its associated Rules came into effect on October 31, 2023 as per Notification No. 218/2023, dated October 18, 2023.

The Myanmar Copyright Law 1914 has been repealed and replaced by the new Myanmar Copyright Law 2019. Starting from February 9, 2024, the protection of copyright and related rights can be registered with the Ministry of Commerce, Intellectual Property Department.

The Intellectual Property Agency issued a Notification No. 1/2024 on February 13, 2024, which outlines the official fees associated with applying for copyright and related rights registration in Myanmar.

The official fee for applications of CR-1, CR-2, CR-7 and CR-8 is only for literary or artistic works or related rights.

The prescribed official fee for filing applications of CR-3, CR-5, CR-6, CR-9, CR-11, CR-12 and CR-13 is charged per application.

The Intellectual Property Agency has announced an official fee of 100,000 MMK for filing applications related to literary or artistic works only. The Intellectual Property Department has also announced that multiple types of literary or artistic works such as music, poetry, cartoons, short stories, articles, photographs and applied arts can be included in per application as follows;

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

A. Application of Copyrights and Related rights

Authors, copyright owners or related rights owners can file to the Registrar using Form CR-1 for the registration of copyright and Form CR-2 for the registration of related rights.

Applications may be prepared in either Myanmar or English language. Applications can be submitted through E-filing, in person at the Intellectual Property Department (IPD), or by Post.

Copyright may be applied by the author or the owner of copyright through inheritance, transfer by testament, gift or donation, or transfer of ownership under any existing law.

Related rights may be applied for by a performer, producer of phonogram, broadcasting organization, or the owner of related rights through inheritance, transfer by testament, gift or donation, or transfer of ownership under any existing law.

B. Protected Copyright Works

The following literary or artistic works which are original intellectual creations, shall be protected;

• • Books, pamphlets, poems, novels, articles, computer programmes and other writings;
• • Speeches, lectures, addresses, sermons and other oral works;
• • Dramatic works, dramatico-musical works, pantomimes, choreographic works and other literary or artistic works created for stage production;
• • Dongs and musical works, with or without words;
• • Audiovisual works including cinematographic works;
• • Works of architecture;
• • Works of drawing, sketching, painting, carving, sculpture, engraving, mosaic, wood work, pottery, metal ware, terracotta, jewellery, handicrafts, costumes, textiles and ornamentation of ethnic groups;
• • Lithographic works, weaving works, tapestries and other works of fine art;
• • Photographic works;
• • Works of applied art;
• • Textile designs;
• • Illustrations, maps, plans, sketches and three-dimensional works related to geography, topography, architecture or science;
• • Translations, adaptations, arrangements and other alterations or modification of literary or artistic works;
• • Collections of literary or artistic works, including collections of the traditional cultural expressions;
• • Compilations of data whether in machine readable or other form, provided that such collections must constitute intellectual creation by reason of the selection or arrangement of their content but contents of the collection shall not be concerned with the protection.
• • Literary or artistic works shall be protected by the sole fact of their creation irrespective of their mode or form of expression, their content, quality and purpose.

C. Unprotected Copyright Works

• • Idea, procedure, method of operation, mathematical concept, principle, discovery or data
• • News of the day or miscellaneous facts having the character of mere items of press information
• • Constitution and legislation
• • Rules, regulations and by-laws, and notifications, orders, directives and procedures issued by the Governmental departments and Governmental organizations
• • Judicial decisions and orders
• • Official translation and collection of those in sub-sections (3) to (5) by the Government.

D. Rights of Copyright Owners and Owners of Related Rights 

1.  1. Copyright Owner’s Rights
   

   Copyright protects authors by granting them a set of exclusive rights over their works. There rights include economic rights and moral rights, in accordance with Berne Convention.

   1.  1.1 Economic rights
      

      The right owners can derive financial reward from the use of their works by others. The author or copyright owner shall have the right to exercise economic rights directly or by to authorizing others to do so, as follows;

      • • Reproduction;
      • • Translation, adaptation, arrangement or other alteration or modification;
      • • Distribution of the origin or a copy of the work to the public through sale or other transfer of ownership;
      • • Rental of the original or a copy of computer programme, an audiovisual work, a cinematographic work, a literary or artistic work embodied in a phonogram, a database or a musical work in the form of notation to the public;
      • • Public performance;
      • • Broadcasting;
      • • Communication to the public by any other means;
      • • Collection of literary or artistic works of his creation;
   2. 1.2 Moral rights
      

      The author shall retain the exclusive moral right, even if he is not the owner of economic rights.

      • • Right to claim authorship and to have his name indicated as the author on the copies of any public use of his literary or artistic work;
      • • Right to use a pseudonym if it was originally described on copies of a literary or artistic work lawfully made available to the public;
      • • Right to object to any distortion, mutilation or other modification of, or other derogatory action in relation to his literary or artistic work which would be prejudicial to his honor or reputation;
2. 2. Rights of Related Rights Owners
   
   1.  2.1 Economic rights
      

      Related rights protect to performances, original recordings and broadcasts of works. Performers, producers of phonograms and broadcasting organization have granted the related rights.

      1. 2.1.1 Economic Rights of the Performer
         1. I. Broadcasting or communication to the public of his unfixed performance, except where the broadcasting or communication to the public is undertaken by any of the following manners;
         • • Fixation of the performance with authorization of the performer or carrying out the acts in section 41 without authorization of the performer
         • • Broadcasting of the performance by the organization itself that initially broadcasts the performance or by its authorization
         1. II. Fixation of his unfixed performance
         2. III. Direct or indirect reproduction of a fixation of his performance, in any manner or form;
         3. IV. Distribution to the public of a fixation of his performance, or of its copies except the sale or transfer of ownership of the copy of a fixation of his performance anywhere with authorization of the performer;
         4. V. Rental to the public of a fixation of his performance, or its copies;
         5. VI. Making available to the public of his fixed performance, by wire or wireless means or any other communication means in such a way that members of the public may access them from a place or at a time individually chosen by them;
      2. 2.1.2 Economic rights of the Producer of Phonogram
         1. I. Reproduction of a phonogram by any manner or form, directly or indirectly;
         2. II. Importation of copies of a phonogram;
         3. III. Distribution of original or copies of the phonogram to the public except the original or copy of the phonogram which has been sold or transferred in any country with the permission of the producer;
         4. IV. Renting the copies of phonogram to the public with the fee;
         5. V. making available to the public of the phonogram, by wire or wireless means, in such a way that members of the public may access it from a place and at a time individually chosen by them;
      3. 2.1.3 Economic rights of the Broadcasting Organization
         
         1. I. Rebroadcasting of the broadcast;
         2. II. Communication of the broadcast to the public;
         3. III. Fixation of its broadcast
         4. IV. Reproduction of a fixation of its broadcast
   2. 2.2 Moral Rights and The Performer’s Moral Rights
      1. 1. I. The rights to claim to be performer;
         2. II. The right to object to any alteration, modification or destruction of his performances in any way that would be prejudicial to performer’s reputation

E. Protection term of the Copyright and Related Rights

1. 1. Copyright
   
   1.  1.1 Terms of economic rights
      • • • The life of the author and 50 years after the year of its death;
        • • If literary or artistic work of joint authorship, the life of the last author and 50 years   
        • • after the year of its death;
        • • 50 years after the year of the work has been made available to the public with the consent of the author, or, failing to do such an event, 50 years after the making of such a work in the case of a cinematographic work or an audiovisual work;
        • • 50 years after the year of the work has been lawfully made available to the public in the case of a literary or artistic work published anonymously or under a pseudonym provided that where the author’s identity is revealed before the expiration of the said period, the term shall be the same as in clauses (i) and (ii) of this sub-section’
        • • 50 years after the year of the work has been created, lawfully made available to the public or firstly published by Governmental department and Governmental organization for which it is the first owner of the copyright, whichever year is later in the case of a literary or artistic work of Governmental department or Governmental organization except the matters unprotected under section 16;
        • • 25 years from the making of the work in the case of a work of applied art;
   2.  1.2 Terms of moral rights
      1. • • The term for moral rights is the life of the author and for unlimited period form his death;
2. 2. Related rights
   
   1.  2.1 Protection terms of economic rights of performer
      • • • 50 years following the year in which the performance was fixed in any medium, or in the absence of such fixation, 50 years from the date of the end of the year in which the performance took place;
   2.  2.2 Protection terms of economic rights of producer of phonogram
      • • • 50 years following the year of publication of the phonogram or, if the phonogram has not been published, 50 years following the year of the first fixation;
   3.  2.3 Protection terms of economic rights of broadcasting Organization
      • • • 20 years following the year in which the broadcast took place;
   4.  2.4 Terms of moral rights
      Terms of moral rights of the performer
      
      • • • The term of protection for the moral rights of the performer shall be during the life of the performer and for an unlimited period after his death;

AUTHOR

Htar Su May, Senior Associate, ILAW Myanmar Co., Ltd.

IN BRIEF

Myanmar Patent Law (MPTL) 2019 took effect on May 31, 2024 with the notification no. 106/2024 issued by State Administration Council (SAC) dated on June 01, 2024. And Ministry of Commerce issued the Patent Rules on June 04, 2024 with the notification no. 43/2024. The key objective of these announcements is to protect the rights and interests of the patentee and the inventor.
The Intellectual Property Agency issued a notification no. 2/2024 on October 22, 2024, which outlines the official fees related to applying for patent and utility model registration as well as registration of patent agent.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

A. Acceptance of patent and utility model application

Ministry of Commerce (MOC) officially had accepted an application of patent and utility model start from October 31, 2024.

B. Application of patent or utility model

An application can be filed to Intellectual Property Department individual or jointly. And also, a company can be filed an application.

The patent application may be prepared in Myanmar or English language. An application may be submitted from E-filing or in person at IPD or by Post with the proof of payment and using the application form (PT/UM-1). If the registrar requests to translate in Myanmar language to English language and English language to Myanmar language, must submit translation and shall certify if the translation is made.

The patent applicant must request the application examination in details within 36 months from the date of application and pay the registration fee and request the registration officer. If is not made within the specified period, the patent application shall be considering the forfeited. Applications that do not meet the requirements will be revoked within 60 days from the date of receipt of the notice. The registrar will announce to the public 18 month from the filing date or if requested to announce earlier than this period, it will be on requested date. Those who wish to object can submit the objection to the registrar within 90 days from the date of issue and pay the prescribed fee.

C. Applicant

Applicant must mention the following information in the patent and utility model application

• • Request for grant of a patent or utility model;
• • Name, nationality and address of the applicant or legal entity or inventor;
• • Name, identity card number and address of representative or agent, if apply with representative or agent. The application form (PT/UM-2) must be attached.
• • A fully description of invention;
• • Patent or Utility name and description of summary of patent;
• • One or more requests of patent or utility model as prescribed;
• • The below information may be attached, if necessary.
• • Address and State name, if applicant has effective industrial or business;
• • Registration number, legal entity type and State name, if applicant applies for legal entity;
• • Drawings to understand of invention;
• • Priority claim, if the applicant requests for priority claim;
• • Where the applicant wishes to take advantage of any protection resulting from the display of goods to which the invention is applied in an international exhibition, declaration claiming the exhibition priority together with the evidences;
• • Written agreement, if applicant applies and sign jointly;
• • The disclosure of access to genetic or biological resources and of any element of traditional knowledge associated or not with those resources and that was directly or indirectly used in the making of the claimed invention;
• • Request to publish earlier;

D. Type of patentable invention

• • New inventions
• • Inclusive a level of innovation
• • Industrial application 

E. Registrability of utility model

An invention is new and can be used in industrially, can be registered as a utility model. Inventions Ineligible for Protection, must be the following models

• • Discoveries, scientific theories and mathematical calculations;
• • Systems, rules and regulations or methods relating to conducting business, pure psychology, or games;
• • Pure computer programs;
• • biological production processes mainly used for growing plants or rearing animals except non-biological and microbiological production processes;
• • Plants and organisms which include all organism and plant species, DNA –including complementary DNA sequences, cells, cell lines, cell cultures and seeds, including whole or part of organisms and biological materials found in nature, with the exception of man-made microbiological organisms;
• • Surgical methods or treatment methods for the bodies of humans and animals including methods of diagnosis discovered by conducting experiments on the bodies of human and animals;
• • Inventions related to objects which are known to the public or chemical products which are prescribed as necessary, including objects existing in nature, new ways of usage and new forms;
• • Inventions which are detrimental to public morale, order, human beings, animals, plants, health or the environment and inventions for which use is prohibited by any existing law within the territory of the Union.
• • Pharmaceutical products or production processes are ineligible for patent protection until January 01, 2033, unless specified otherwise by the Union Government.

F. Utility model Inventions Ineligible for protection

• • Procedures;
• • Chemical, pharmaceutical, biological, metallurgical of or any other kind of substances or compounds; and
• • tems excluded from protection by patents for inventions pursuant to with this Law.
• • Sculptures, architectures or ornamentals existing in nature.

G. Duration of Patent and Utility Model

The duration of patent is 20 years and the utility model is 10 years from the filing date. The annual fee must be paid in order to maintain yearly.

2022年6月9日、タイでは大麻とヘンプが麻薬法の規制対象から除外されました。これにより、所持や消費が広がり、公衆衛生、経済、社会に大きな影響を及ぼす可能性が生じています。これらの懸念に対応するため、2024年11月6日に保健省は大麻およびヘンプの栽培、生産、輸入、輸出、販売、広告を規制する新たな法案を内閣に提案しました。この法案は現在、内閣による審議中です。

法案の主な条項

A. 許可要件

この法案では、大麻、ヘンプおよびその抽出物の栽培、生産、輸入、販売には、タイ伝統医療·代替医療局長からの許可が必要とされています。
大麻またはヘンプの栽培許可申請は、栽培面積の規模に基づいて次のように分類されます：

• • 小規模: 5ライ（約1.98エーカー）以下
  • 中規模: 5ライを超え20ライ（約7.91エーカー）以下
  • 大規模: 20ライを超え400ライ（約158.16エーカー）以下

加えて、輸入および輸出には、取引ごとに特定の許可が必要です。

B. 免許不要の活動

以下の活動は、許可要件から免除されます：

• • 大麻およびヘンプの根、枝、葉、茎、種子の生産、輸出、または販売（ただし、大麻およびヘンプの花を除く）。
  • 医師、歯科医師、タイ伝統医療師、応用タイ伝統医療師、中国伝統医療師、または民間医療師（タイ伝統医療職業法に基づく定義）の資格を有する医療従事者による、治療、ケア、苦痛の緩和、人間の疾患予防のための大麻、ヘンプおよびその抽出物の処方。

C. 申請資格

許可申請者には、以下の基準が適用されます：

• • 個人: タイ国籍を有し、20歳以上でタイに居住し、法的に禁止される要件に該当しないこと。
  • 企業: タイ国内に拠点を持つタイ国籍の法人であり、取締役がタイ国籍で20歳以上、法的に禁止される要件に該当しないこと。
  • 地域企業: 地域企業法に基づく法人格を持たない場合でも、代表者がタイ国籍で20歳以上であり、法的に禁止される要件に該当しないこと。
  • 政府機関またはタイ赤十字社: 関連する法のもとで適切な責任を有すること。

D. 許可の有効期間および更新

許可の有効期間は発行日から3年間であり、有効期限が切れる前に更新する必要があります。

E. 大麻、ヘンプおよびその抽出物の使用制限

この法案では、大麻、ヘンプおよびその抽出物の消費を以下の場合を除き禁止しています：

1. 1. 医師、歯科医師、タイ伝統医療師、応用タイ伝統医療師、中国伝統医療師、または民間医療師（タイ伝統医療職業法に基づく定義）の管理下で、治療、痛みの緩和、人間の健康維持または疾患予防に使用する場合。
   2. 政府機関による研究、医療研究、薬学研究、科学研究、医療または薬学サービス、赤十字の利用、または学術的利用のため。
   3. ハーブ製品、医療製品、食品製品、化粧品製品、または関連法で指定されたその他の製品の製造。

F. 手数料

許可手数料は、保健省が発行する省令で定められ、法案の付属書に記載された最大料金を上限とします。手数料の金額は、栽培面積、大麻およびヘンプまたはその抽出物の量、または事業の規模に応じて異なります。

G. 広告

この法案では、大麻の花や樹脂、ヘンプの花や樹脂、抽出物、喫煙器具や関連機器の広告を禁止しています。さらに、大麻、ヘンプまたはその抽出物に関する広告は、虚偽、誇張、または違法行為や非道徳的行為を助長してはなりません。

結論

新しい法案は、大麻およびヘンプ、およびその抽出物の栽培、生産、輸入、輸出、販売、広告に関する規制の枠組みを明確化し、既存の法律における重要な欠陥に対 処しています。その成立時期はまだ不確定ですが、内閣および議会による承認手続きが進行中であり、2025年第2四半期までには新法が施行される可能性があります。本法律が施行されれば、法的な明確性が向上するだけでなく、タイにおける大麻およびヘンプ産業の安定性と成長の可能性が強化され、投資家や起業家にとってより安全な環境が整います。

これらの変化に対応するビジネスについて、当事務所は、法的アドバイスと規制対応の専門的なサポートを提供し、このダイナミックな分野における新たな機会をつかむお手伝いをいたします。法的環境が変化する中で、貴社の成功に向けた信頼できるパートナーとして、当事務所をご活用ください。

著者:

Tanadee Pantumkomon, Partner
Wachinorot Siladet, Associate
Phoomphop Rungsri, Associate

概要:
カンボジア労働法（1997年3月13日制定、2007年、2018年、2021年改正）は、外国人労働者がカンボジア労働職業訓練省（MLVT）から労働許可証および雇用カードを取得することを義務付けています。2014年8月20日、MLVTは外国人労働者雇用に関する大臣令No. 196を発行し、続いて2024年8月12日には通知No. 022/24 ក.ប/ស.ជ.ណ.ម.ហを発表しました 。

主な規定:

1. 事業体設立の手続き:

1. 1. (1) 事業体はカンボジア労働職業訓練省に対し、外国人労働者雇用許可証を申請しなければなりません。ただし、カンボジア人労働者総数の10%を超えてはなりません。
   2. (2)  雇用契約の登録が必要です。
   3. (3)  外国人労働許可証および外国人雇用カードを申請します。

2. 外国人労働者の手続き:

1. 1. (1)  外国人は事業体の所有者または責任者に、労働職業訓練省が発行した外国人労働者雇用許可証を提示するよう依頼します。
   2. (2)  外国人は事業体の所有者または責任者と雇用契約を締結します。
   3. (3)  外国人労働許可証および外国人雇用カードを申請します。

3. 必要書類:

申請はウェブサイト www.fwcms.mlvt.gov.kh を通じて行い、以下の書類を提出します：

• • •  パスポート
  • •  最新の事業登録税証明書
  • •  健康診断書
  • •  4×6cmの写真

4. 罰則:

2025年内に労働許可証を申請しなかった場合、工場および事業体は、1人当たりKHR 12,600,000（約USD 3,150）の罰金を課されます。この罰金額は、2023年7月31日付の省間令No. 498の付属書1「労働法違反者への金銭的罰則」のNo.106に基づきます。

結論:

     カンボジア労働法は、外国人労働者に対し、カンボジア労働職業訓練省（MLVT）から労働許可証および雇用カードを取得する義務を課しています。この法律は、雇用者および外国人労働者の双方に対し、必要書類の要件や不遵守に対する罰則（2025年には1人当たりKHR 12,600,000、約USD 3,150）を規定しています。
　外国人労働者が労働許可証および雇用カードを取得した後は、カンボジア大使館、オンライン（www.evisa.gov.kh）、またはカンボジア国際国境にて労働ビザを申請することができます。これらの規定は労働基準の遵守を確保し、外国人労働者のカンボジア社会への統合を促進するものです。

• •  著者:
  • •  Vicheka Lay
  • •  Hort Lypheng
• •  連絡先:

Ilawcambodia@ilawasia.com

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Since 9 June 2022, cannabis and hemp are no longer classified as narcotics under the Narcotics Code, which may lead to widespread possession, consumption, and use. This situation could have significant impact on public health, economy, and society.
To address these concerns and align with government policy, on 6 November 2024, the Ministry of Public Health has proposed the Cabinet, a new draft bill to regulate the cultivation, production, import, export, sale, and advertisement of cannabis, hemp, and their extracts (the “Draft Bill”). The Draft Bill is currently under review and consideration by the Cabinet.

KEY PROVISIONS OF THE DRAFT BILL
A. Licensing Requirements

The Draft Bill establishes that the cultivation, production, import, and sale of cannabis, hemp, and their extracts require licenses from the Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine.
The application for a license to cultivate cannabis or hemp will be categorized based on the size of the cultivation area:

• • • Small area : Not exceeding 5 rai (approximately 1.98 acres)
    • Medium area : More than 5 rai but not exceeding 20 rai (approximately 7.91 acres)
    • Large area : More than 20 rai but not exceeding 400 rai (approximately 158.16 acres)

In addition to a general license, the import and export of cannabis, hemp, and their extracts will require a specific permit for each transaction.

B. Exempt Activities

The Draft Bill exempts the following activities from licensing requirements:

• • • The production, export, or sale of roots, branches, leaves, stems, or seeds of cannabis or hemp (excluding cannabis and hemp flowers).
    • The prescription of cannabis, hemp, or their extracts for the treatment, care, alleviation of human ailments, or disease prevention by licensed medical practitioners, dentists, Thai traditional medical practitioners, applied Thai traditional medical practitioners, Chinese medicine practitioners, or folk medical practitioners, as defined under the laws on Thai traditional medical professions.

C. Applicant Eligibility

Applicants for the licenses must not possess any prohibited characteristics as specified in the Draft Bill. In addition, the following eligibility criteria apply:

• • • Individuals must be Thai nationals, of at least 20 years old, and residents of Thailand and has no prohibited characteristics under the law.
    • Companies must be Thai nationality with its office in Thailand, with directors who are Thai nationals and of at least 20 years old and has no prohibited characteristics under the law.
    • A community enterprise that is not a legal entity under the law on community enterprises with its representative who is Thai national and of at least 20 years old and has no prohibited characteristics under the law.
    • The Thai Red Cross Society or a government agency with related responsibilities under the law.

D. License Validity and Renewal

Licenses are valid for 3 years from the date of issuance and must be renewed before expiration.

E. Limitation on the Use of Cannabis, Hemp and Their Extracts

The Draft Bill prohibits any consumption of cannabis, hemp and their extracts, except the following cases:

• • 1. Treatment, relieve of pain for human and prevention from diseases including the use for wellness under the control of licensed medical practitioners, dentists, Thai traditional medical practitioners, applied Thai traditional medical practitioners, Chinese medicine practitioners, or folk medical practitioners, as defined under the laws on Thai traditional medical professions;
    2. Research by government authorities, research for medical study, pharmaceutical study or science, medical pharmaceutical or science service, for the benefit of medical use, pharmaceutical use, Red-Cross use or academic use; and
    3. Production of herbal products, medical products, food products, cosmetic products or other products as specified by relevant laws and regulations.

F. Fees

License fees will be determined by ministerial regulations issued by the Ministry of Public Health, subject to the maximum rates outlined in the annex to the Draft Bill. Fee amounts may vary based on the cultivation area, the quantities of cannabis, hemp or their extracts, or the size of the licensee’s business.

G. Advertisement

The Draft Bill prohibits the advertisement or marketing communication of cannabis flowers or resin, hemp flowers or resin, extracts, and tools or equipment related to cannabis smoking. Additionally, all other advertisements concerning cannabis, hemp, or their extracts must not be false, misleading, or exaggerated, nor support or encourage illegal or immoral actions.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the new Draft Bill offers a clearer regulatory framework for the cultivation, production, import, export, sale, and advertisement of cannabis, hemp, and their extracts, addressing significant gaps in the existing legislation. While the timeline for its enactment remains uncertain, the approval process by the Cabinet and Parliament is underway, with expectations that the new law could be in place by Q2 of 2025. Once enacted, this legislation will not only enhance legal clarity but also bolster the stability and growth potential of the cannabis and hemp industries in Thailand, creating a more secure environment for investors and entrepreneurs.

For businesses navigating these changes, ILAWASIA offers expert legal advice and regulatory support to help clients stay compliant and seize emerging opportunities in this dynamic sector. Let us be your trusted partner in ensuring your business thrives in the evolving legal landscape.

AUTHOR:
Tanadee Pantumkomon, Partner
Wachinorot Siladet, Associate
Phoomphop Rungsri, Associate

Overview:
    The Cambodian Labor Law, enacted on March 13, 1997, and amended in 2007, 2018, and 2021, requires foreign workers to obtain a work permit and employment card from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT). On August 20, 2014, MLVT issued Prakas No. 196 on foreign labor employment, followed by Notification No. 022/24 ក.ប/ស.ជ.ណ.ម.ហ, on August 12, 2024,

Key Provisions:
1. The Procedure for Enterprise Establishment:

• – Firstly, the enterprise shall apply for a letter permit of employment for foreigner labour from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, not more than 10% of the total number of Cambodian workers.
• – Secondly, registration of employment contract.
• – Lastly, apply for a foreigner work permit and foreigner employment card.

2. The Procedure for Foreigners:

• – Firstly, the foreigner shall request the owner or director of the enterprise to present a letter permit of employment for foreigner labour issued by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training
• – Secondly, the foreigner shall sign an employment contract with the owner or director of the enterprise establishment.
• – Lastly, apply for a foreigner work permit and foreigner employment card.

3. Documents require
     Submit the application on www.fwcms.mlvt.gov.kh with a passport, recent patent tax certificate, health checkup certificate, and a 4×6 cm photo.

4. Penalty
     Failure to apply for a work permit for the year 2025 within the deadline shall result in factories and enterprises being subject to a penalty of KHR 12,600,000 (about USD3,150) per person, in accordance with the No.106 in Annex 1of PraKas of Inter-Ministerial No. 498 dated 31 July 2023 on the Monetary Fine for those who Violate the Labour Law.

Conclusion:
    In conclusion, the Cambodian Labor Law mandates that foreign workers obtain a work permit and employment card from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT). The law outlines clear procedures for both employers and foreign workers, including documentation requirements and penalties for non-compliance, which may reach KHR 12,600,000 (approximately USD 3,150) per worker in 2025.
    Once a foreigner obtains a work permit and employment card, a foreigner can apply for a work visa either at a Cambodian embassy abroad, online via www.evisa.gov.kh, or at Cambodia’s international borders. These regulations ensure adherence to labour standards and facilitate the integration of foreign labour in Cambodia.

Authors:

Vicheka Lay; and

Hort Lypheng

Contact Detail:         

Ilawcambodia@ilawasia.com