Cambodia and ILO Review Mid-Term Progress on Decent Work, Boost Tripartite Cooperation

The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training of Cambodia, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), convened a National Tripartite Workshop on the Mid-Term Review of the implementation of the National Decent Work Programme for Cambodia (DWCP) 2024-2028 on August 31, 2026, at the Hotel Cambodiana in Phnom Penh. The workshop aimed to present the progress achieved mid-term in the implementation of the DWCP programme from January 2024 to June 2026, share lessons learned from the implementation, present the priorities of the DWCP programme for 2026, and strengthen tripartite capacities to further develop, implement, and monitor the programme more effectively. Presiding over the workshop, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training H.E. Heng Sour, addressed government representatives, the Ministry of Labour, the ILO, employers' associations, and trade unions. He lauded the achievements made by the programme and highly valued the ILO's active and highly responsible participation in continuing to implement the programme since 2005. Cambodia is the only country in ASEAN to have implemented the programme for the longest and most sustainably, reaching its sixth phase. This demonstrates Cambodia's commitment to improving working conditions, occupational health and safety, and professional relations. The Minister further stated that the programme continues to serve as a crucial mechanism that gathers input from stakeholders for the common good of workers and employers. The success of the programme stems from close tripartite cooperation that supports the implementation of various policies, contributing to the achievement of national development goals and Cambodia's vision. Specifically, it has significantly contributed to achieving major milestones in labour, social security, and vocational training. For instance, the vocational and technical training programme for youth from poor and at-risk families has trained over 284,000 students, and Social Security Fund (BSS) members have exceeded 3.8 million. Recalling the three key priority directions of the programme—human capital, economy, and professional relations—he encouraged the workshop to review and assess shortcomings and improve indicators based on past implementation experiences. He urged participants to provide input for effective common solutions and to discuss methods for strengthening the joint implementation mechanism between state institutions, professional organizations, and employers' associations, aligning it with practical realities, global economic trends, and the government's 2026 policies. He particularly highlighted Prime Minister Hun Manet's commitment to providing maximum support to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), which are the backbone of the national economy and include a large segment of the informal economy, and to increasing their registration. In professional relations, he emphasized the need to strengthen and expand the capacity of human resource managers in enterprises to enhance their understanding of laws, regulations, and methods for resolving labour disputes at the local level, including the use of appropriate language with workers. He expressed hope that the participation in the workshop would ensure the continued sustainability of the effective tripartite mechanism in implementing this programme, making it the most sustainable in the region, and further improving working conditions, living standards, and professional relations. Meanwhile, Mr. Sam Suon, representative of the National Trade Union Council for the DWCP, and Mr. Sok La, Vice President of the Federation of Employers and Associations of Cambodia, expressed their gratitude to the Ministry and the ILO for their technical and financial support. They pledged to continue implementing the programme to improve the livelihoods of workers, promote decent work, and advance social justice. Ms. Sreang Chean, Director of the ILO Office for Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, expressed confidence that further strengthening progress, accelerating reforms, and enhancing tripartite cooperation and social dialogue in line with international labour standards will contribute to promoting decent work, better worker protection, increased productivity and resilience of enterprises, stronger social dialogue, and development that leaves no one behind.