Cambodia and International Labour Organization agree work priorities until 2028

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (ILO News) – Cambodia and the International labour Organization (ILO) will put human capital, formalisation, and social dialogue at the centre of their efforts in coming years to support decent, productive and sustainable work for all Cambodians. 

The 2024-28 Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for Cambodia was formally signed by representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, the Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations, Cambodian Trade Unions and the ILO Country Director for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic at a ceremony in Phnom Penh on 10 May 2024. 

Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) are the main framework for delivering ILO’s support to its member countries, setting out the priority areas for cooperation and collaboration. 

The DWCP for Cambodia outlines a number of priority areas. It seeks to build human capital by strengthening and expanding social protection, enhancing technical and vocational skills systems, and improving public employment support services.

It emphasises the promotion of a more formalized, inclusive and green economy. This includes digitalisation to support small businesses as well as more decent work opportunities particularly for women, through greater access to affordable quality childcare and other care services. 

In addition, the DWCP focuses on promoting social dialogue and harmonious industrial relations and rights at work. To meet this aim, the capacity of ILO’s government, employer and worker constituents will be strengthened to support labour dispute resolution mechanisms and the implementation of national and international labour standards.

Actions will also be carried out to enhance the rights and working conditions of women and men migrant workers in order to ensure safe and fair recruitment as well as productive labour migration.

Throughout the DWCP, emphasis is placed ensuring that all actions are gender-responsive and that they support the inclusion of youth, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, and indigenous and minority community groups.

Speaking at the ceremony, Xiaoyan Qian, Director of ILO Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, said that the DWCP would, “play an important role in supporting Cambodia along the path of development which it has travelled over the past 25 years. By strengthening efforts to attain decent, productive and sustainable work for all, the Country Programme will contribute towards Cambodia’s Vision 2030 and 2050 roadmaps. It will likewise support national plans for LDC graduation as well as help achieve the SDG agenda.” 

Sovann Vannaroth, Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, highlighted the 6th DWCP as "another significant achievement that is well aligned with Cambodia's vision for 2050 as a higher-income country, the Cambodian Sustainable Development Goals, and Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1. Social dialogue and tripartism continue to be key factors in maintaining harmonious industrial relations. The Ministry remains committed to working closely with all partners to ensure the effective implementation of the DWCP's indicators, ultimately creating decent work opportunities for all Cambodians."

Oknha Sok Piseth, President of Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations said, “DWCP effectively shared its contributions to the development of Camboda's society and economy. Social Dialogue mechanism is cornerstone to ensure the tripartite’s commitment and ownership. Together with our counterparts, CAMFEBA commits to strengthen the capacity of our employers in the areas of labour and social security compliance practices that serve as the principle to promote decent work in Cambodia!”

Sam Soeun, Representative of Cambodian Trade Unions and President of NLC said, “The unions will continue to actively participate in DWCP to further improve the employment sector, particularly by ensuring decent work for workers across all sectors and for the Cambodian people as a whole”.

This DWCP is the sixth since 2005. It is an integral part of the wider UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2024-2028 in Cambodia, which supports the country’s achievement of its national development objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The formulation of the DWCP involved extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, employers' and workers' organizations, and other national entities, ensuring a collaborative and inclusive approach to promoting decent work in Cambodia.

For further information please contact:

Steve Needham

Senior Communications Officer, ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

M: +66 83 606 6628 

E: needham@ilo.org