A maverick Dutch owner of a factory in Cambodia is trying to demonstrate that socially responsible entrepreneurial enterprises, not reliance on non-governmental organizations, is the Southeast Asian nation’s best path out of poverty.
Factory Owner in Cambodia Seeks to Empower Female Workers
![The factory offers day care so young mothers can continue their employment after a paid maternity leave. (S. Herman/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/35f108f0-c6d3-43be-b1f5-2decee03473f_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The factory offers day care so young mothers can continue their employment after a paid maternity leave. (S. Herman/VOA)
![The factory is SA8000 certified -- the highest standard in social compliance, a rarity for a company in Cambodia. (S. Herman/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/3e906f30-0244-4d35-a6ff-53e8f758604d_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The factory is SA8000 certified -- the highest standard in social compliance, a rarity for a company in Cambodia. (S. Herman/VOA)
![The Pactics' Siem Reap factory recruits applicants no younger than 18 years of age. (S. Herman/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/effdc166-0575-4031-b21c-9bac38e41d19_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The Pactics' Siem Reap factory recruits applicants no younger than 18 years of age. (S. Herman/VOA)
![Fabric in Tiffany's signature blue color being unfurled in a machine. (S. Herman/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/09680141-8d67-42cf-afe9-eea24e325c41_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Fabric in Tiffany's signature blue color being unfurled in a machine. (S. Herman/VOA)
![As is standard in the industry in Cambodia, workers are on the job six days per week for eight hours per day. (S. Herman/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/21b4c93f-6b92-4e1f-9025-0170e6da62b8_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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As is standard in the industry in Cambodia, workers are on the job six days per week for eight hours per day. (S. Herman/VOA)
![A covered parking lot for employees -- most of whom have traded in their bicycles for motorized transport. (S. Herman/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/69ab3fc5-7aad-4291-82da-3a2f6b2d168f_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A covered parking lot for employees -- most of whom have traded in their bicycles for motorized transport. (S. Herman/VOA)
![Factory owner Piet Holten checking the handiwork of one of his employees. (S. Herman/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/fd08c6ef-e130-483a-a90e-8d7f4967dda3_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Factory owner Piet Holten checking the handiwork of one of his employees. (S. Herman/VOA)
![Nearly all those who apply for jobs at Pactics are young women, but there are some male employees, as well. (S. Herman/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/9c21a614-4a5f-43f2-8b59-182361df7588_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Nearly all those who apply for jobs at Pactics are young women, but there are some male employees, as well. (S. Herman/VOA)