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Out of sight, out of mind.
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:54 am
by Soi Dog
Apparently, poor = trafficked.
PPP wrote:A letter from the Phnom Penh municipality ordered that all homeless people be removed from the streets for their own safety.
City wants homeless gone
Tue, 10 June 2014
Sen David
Phnom Penh City Hall wants to sweep the capital’s streets clean of beggars, street kids and the homeless.
In a directive issued yesterday, the municipality told district officials to remove homeless people from public areas, using the rationale that such city dwellers are especially vulnerable to human trafficking.
“The social affairs department and all district governors must control and prevent an influx of [beggars and homeless] to the city,†Seng Ratanak, Phnom Penh’s deputy governor, said. “They are at risk of labour exploitation and human trafficking, and we need public order,†he said.
Ratanak advised officials to cooperate with nongovernmental organisations to collect and educate homeless people, street children, beggars, street newspaper and flower sellers, and disabled people.
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/c ... eless-gone
Re: Out of sight, out of mind.
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 4:38 am
by General Mackevili
There's so many people in this city being trafficked, it's actually causing traffic.
So happy the government is solving this problem. I hope they get re-educated too. After they solve this huge problem I'm sure western countries will follow suite.
Re: Out of sight, out of mind.
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 4:42 am
by OrangeDragon
Given the numerous reports of the kids being the product of parents cashing in on them begging so not sending them to school... it actually sounds like a somewhat worthwhile thing to do. The trick will be making sure they end up in a school instead, versus just shoved down some dark hole of a slum and ignored.
Re: Out of sight, out of mind.
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 4:51 am
by Soi Dog
The undesirables will, as usual, be trucked away (just far enough outside the city that they can't easily return) and dropped off at a poorly planned, barren squatter's camp with tarps for shelter (if they are lucky). They will lose any ability they had to earn income by scavenging/begging/hustling/selling goods to the city folk who have the money. Having no other options, they will do whatever it takes to return to Phnom Penh.
Re: Out of sight, out of mind.
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 6:24 am
by Joon
Yet again, authorities are fixing symptoms, ignore the causes and opt for their favorite prevention program: "educating".
And NGOs are still doing the work the State should be doing.
Re: Out of sight, out of mind.
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 11:25 am
by Bitte_Kein_Lexus
Soi Dog wrote:The undesirables will, as usual, be trucked away (just far enough outside the city that they can't easily return) and dropped off at a poorly planned, barren squatter's camp with tarps for shelter (if they are lucky). They will lose any ability they had to earn income by scavenging/begging/hustling/selling goods to the city folk who have the money. Having no other options, they will do whatever it takes to return to Phnom Penh.
Yep. I still find it amazing that relatively-speaking, there are probably fewer homeless people in Phnom Penh than in many western cities (not counting various cyclos and motodops who sleep outside). But those unfortunate in the countryside who have no family/safety net anymore pretty much only have the option of heading out to the city to beg. I remember people saying on K440 that westerners giving money encouraged this, but I've seen way more Khmers giving money to children than any westerners. They don't realize the repercussions of giving money to begging children as much as westerners I'd say.
Re: Out of sight, out of mind.
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 11:31 am
by General Mackevili
Bitte_Kein_Lexus wrote:... I've seen way more Khmers giving money to children than any westerners. They don't realize the repercussions of giving money to begging children as much as westerners I'd say.
Yeah, for sure. I think it has to do with them just wanted to receive good Karma, Buddhist style, and don't even consider what results their actions will cause.
Someone should tell them about CEO. An easy way to earn Karma without any negative side-effects.
Re: Out of sight, out of mind.
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 11:33 am
by General Mackevili
What about Cambodia expats? I would assume they/we are the least likely to hand over cash to children begging in the streets?
Re: Out of sight, out of mind.
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:03 pm
by Jaap N.
General Mackevili wrote:What about Cambodia expats? I would assume they/we are the least likely to hand over cash to children begging in the streets?
I never give money to children begging, the only thing that would accomplish is the kids thinking: 'why would I get a job or even consider getting one if begging is that easy, I mean, hold your hand up and people will give me money'.
What I do appreciate is some very young kids trying to make a living by selling things and not by begging, of course I've heard rumours about them being forced to do so, etc.
Does anyone know if these rumours are true?
I do, however, sometimes give small change to some of the elderly. Many of them have no or very few family and are dependent on gifts. This is not something I guessed, that's what they told me, obviously through my trusted translator. It's a reall shame that the government couldn't care less about these people, and I do mean both the young children and the elderly.
Serious question: is there ANY form of social security in Cambodia, I mean, provided by the government, not by NGO's? If there is, in what shape and/or form?
Re: Out of sight, out of mind.
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:10 pm
by StroppyChops
General Mackevili wrote:What about Cambodia expats? I would assume they/we are the least likely to hand over cash to children begging in the streets?
Nope, not ever. Although I will take kids that are obviously hungry to a roach coach or Khmer restaurant and feed them if I think they're legit. There's a group of three little kids that hang around near Alma's Cafe that seem to be genuinely destitute, they hit Mrs Stroppy and I up the other day and were genuinely happy to be fed mystery protein on a stick in a breadroll.