Basic Contract in Cambodia

A basic contract that you receive from a school should contain the following information:

• Date of employment

• Date of termination of employment

• Place of employment

• Teacher’s designation

• Duties defined

• Rates of remuneration, emoluments and accommodation

• Normal hours of work and other terms and conditions relating to work

• Service and holiday entitlement

• Terms and conditions relating to incapacity of work due to sickness or injury

• Sickness benefits

• Employee’s probation period and process of confirmation

Before you sign a formal contract, do ascertain about the terms and conditions and negotiate for a fair deal before finalizing on anything. You can also ask other teachers of the Cambodian community about the features of the teaching agreement. The following questions can act as your guidelines:

• How many hours of teaching will you be guaranteed each week?

• What will be the rate of pay?

• Will the school provide assistance with visa and work permit?

• Is a flight stipend provided, either for air fare home when your commitment has ended or for you to renew or obtain your visa?

• Does the school provide a housing allowance or a house on campus?

• How many hours will you be expected to teach each day?

• Will you have to work on Saturdays?

• Which classes will you be teaching, and will teaching materials be provided?

• Will you be allowed to take on private students in the hours that you are not working at the school?

• Will you be allowed vacation time?

Getting answers to these questions will help you decide if you should commit to the teaching assignment.