Female Silk Weavers of Battambang Hit Hard by COVID-19 Tourism Disruption

Hy Vannary, team leader of the women’s community of Kokkyo naki Kodomotachi (KnK Cambodia). Photo provided

The cost of silk, coupled with the time it takes skilled workers to produce a single item and the amount of training required to produce each item, has made it hard to pivot to the local market



PHNOM PENH--More than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic has left the women’s community of Kokkyo naki Kodomotachi (KnK Cambodia), which produces silk, handbags, and souvenirs, less profitable due to the absence of foreign visitors.



In the wake of major disruption to Cambodia’s tourism sector, the community is now calling for support from local customers.



Located in Chamkar Russey Village, Prek Preah Sdach Commune, Battambang City, Battambang Province, the women community of KnK Cambodia have faced challenges selling their products since the severe outbreak of COVID-19 in Cambodia, said Hy Vannary, team leader of the community.



Vannary said that the products were largely supported by foreign customers before the pandemic, but for the past two years, the community has sold fewer products as international arrivals dropped by more than 90 percent at the peak of Cambodia’s outbreak.



“So, we would take these products to the exhibition organized by the Battambang Provincial Department of Commerce, although we had to spend money for the exhibition,” she said, noting that the decreased revenues have made it harder for KnK Cambodia to operate as normal.



There are currently 12 women making these items, Vannary said—six women working as weavers, while another six are seamstresses.



She said that the production of silk has to go through many stages, such as repeatedly dyeing it to ensure the colors don’t run and then they are woven one thread at a time, which takes several days.



“Weaving is very difficult because we have to spend time dyeing. It took us a month to do it. Then we have to weave one thread at a time. The hardest hit are the weavers,” said Vannary.



KnK Cambodia has been selling silk handkerchiefs at $3 each, which Vannary noted was a little high, but the cost of silk and the skilled labor that goes into producing each product is what allows this cultural heritage to survive. She appealed to Cambodians for more support to prevent the women within her community from migrating to find work abroad.



“We give them a salary, but they have to receive training first before officially joining the team, Vannary said. “But they also get paid and receive accommodation during the training.”



 



 


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