SHAUN TURTON and BOPHA PHORN,
May 4, 2021

.. an executive of a "popular delivery platform" who said several staff had been whipped by cane-wielding police officers.

PHNOM PENH -- In more ways than one, Foodpanda delivery driver Pros Savit has become an essential worker.

With his garment worker wife furloughed, the 24-year-old relies on the 80 cents he earns per delivery to feed his extended family of 10 and repay a loan.

"I know my job is important now," said Savit, who takes home roughly $15 to $20 each day. "Without us, people in lockdown could have nothing to eat."

Savit is one of the thousands of drivers clad in bright uniforms zipping around the capital on motorbikes. As in other countries struck by COVID-19, usage of delivery apps has surged -- bringing opportunities but also risks.

E-GetS, founded in Cambodia in 2018 by Chinese entrepreneurs, has had success targeting Chinese expats and wants to broaden its customer base. Youth-led local startup Muuve last year received VC funding. Early entrant Meal Temple, now branded KiwiGO, has expanded regionally after fundraising and a merger with a Hong Kong fintech company.

Victor Lee, marketing manager for E-GetS in Cambodia, says the platform, with more than 1,000 full-time drivers, has also seen a spike.

"The impact of the lockdown has made the orders increase nearly 100% because most of the people stay home," he said.

"Before the outbreak of the epidemic, transactions of cash payments accounted for about 55%," Lee said. "Since March, cash payments have fallen to 45%."

Borima Chann, founder of Nham24, said digital payments on the also platform hit 55% in April, compared with 46% in March and 40% in February.

Nham24 had also equipped drivers with QR codes. The payment method has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. The National Bank of Cambodia recorded 4.8 million QR code transactions in 2020, equivalent to $73 million.

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