The government has widely issued a circular to all ministries and departments at both the national and sub-national levels as well as the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) on the promotion process for civil servants and soldiers.
The circular, dated December 31, states two points related to the implementation of promotions for rank or level in 2022.
Firstly, promotions for rank or level for prison officials under the Ministry of Interior and all personnel of the RCAF shall be carried out normally according to the laws and regulations in force for 2022.
Secondly, budget reductions affecting the payroll situation of all other civil servants in the legislature, executive, judiciary, National Police and others will be implemented beginning in May, 2022.
The issuance of the circular was done in accordance with rulings issued in 2020 and 2021 by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Transparency International Cambodia executive director Pech Pisey said on January 2 that promotions for government employees should be done according to the principle based on merit and the performance.
He said there should be clear principles and criteria used to decide on promotions.
“Generally, there will be a job description on the responsibilities of any given civil servant and some metrics for what their expected performance goals are on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis, so that they can be used to determine who should be eligible for various promotions,” he said.
Cambodian Institute for Democracy president Pa Chanroeun said he supported the government’s directive but would like to see the promotion of both civil servants and military officials done through a transparent and fair process based on qualifications and capabilities rather than merely through longevity of service.
“In the modern administrative system, ranking or roles promotion must be done in accordance with understood principles and clear criteria, so that the awarding of them can be done in a fair, open and consistent manner,” he said.
