Cambodia Minimum Wage Talks: Workers Demand Significant Increase, Employers Seek Status Quo

Negotiations to set the minimum wage for 2027 commenced in Phnom Penh on September 14th. The discussions, held under the facilitation of the Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, Heng Sour, at the National Minimum Wage Council (4th mandate, 2nd session), involve workers in the garment, footwear, travel goods, and bag manufacturing sectors. Worker representatives proposed an increase of $15.3 per month from the current $210, with some suggesting a higher increment of $40.6. In contrast, employer representatives advocated for maintaining the current $210, citing a previous additional allowance of $2.5 for commuting expenses. Minister Heng Sour stated that the day's meeting served as an initial platform for the tripartite parties (government, workers, employers) to present their stances, with representatives expected to deliberate internally before reconvening on September 18th. He emphasized that setting the minimum wage requires considering factors that attract further investment, thereby creating jobs and additional income, not solely focusing on existing workers. Kim Chansamang, President of the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Cambodia (NACC) and a worker representative, acknowledged internal differences among unions, with his faction proposing an increase to $225.3 or $250.6 per month. He expressed the union's commitment to further consultations and aims for a final agreement by September 30th, taking into account current realities. The unions will also review the seven evaluation criteria presented by the minimum wage secretariat. Information Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer