Cambodian Unions Urge NGOs to Shift Minimum Wage Campaigns Abroad

Leading labor unions in Cambodia have urged a number of domestic and international civil society organizations (CSOs) campaigning for a minimum wage of $250 in Cambodia to shift their focus to other countries such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, where minimum wages are currently lower. This appeal is based on the fact that these countries currently have lower minimum wage levels than Cambodia. The unions argue that if these organizations genuinely intend to help workers, they should advocate for raising wages in those countries to a level comparable to Cambodia, thereby ensuring the equitable improvement of workers' livelihoods across the region. Mr. Sam Soeun, President of the Cambodian National Labor Union Federation, criticized the activities of the relevant CSOs, stating, "If civil society and international organizations truly wish to assist in improving workers' livelihoods with pure intentions, they should campaign in countries like Bangladesh or Sri Lanka, where wages are lower than in Cambodia." He further elaborated, "Gathering and demanding a figure at will in Cambodia, without any scientific research or clear evidence, is inappropriate. If they cannot present a specific research report on this figure, it clearly indicates that they have a malicious agenda or intentions towards Cambodia's economic stability and its garment sector." Mr. Un Dara, President of the Cambodian Labor Union Federation 'Light,' echoed this sentiment, stating that it is unacceptable to allow employment opportunities for workers to be undermined by campaigns lacking technical basis. He pointed out that Cambodia's current minimum wage is already higher than that of many regional competitors. He added, "If they truly want to help workers, why don't they campaign to raise wages in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to a level comparable to Cambodia? This would be considered equitable assistance, not creating pressure solely on Cambodia while other countries have lower wages. Without proper research, we have the right to question their intentions towards our nation." Leaders of both unions have demanded that these domestic and international CSOs present evidence from specific research studies that clearly substantiate the $250 figure they are demanding. The unions emphasized that if these demands are made without scientific basis and proper research, it suggests they may have malicious intentions to disrupt Cambodia's investment climate. Source: AKP Khmer