Cambodia's Labor Market Booms: Businesses and Employment Surge in Three Years

Heng Sour, Minister of Labor and Vocational Training, announced that the labor sector has seen remarkable development over the past three years. During this period, the number of enterprises, factories, and businesses increased to 47,758, and the number of formal employees reached 2.3 million. Additionally, the number of health care beneficiaries in the Social Security Fund (B.O.R.S.) grew to 3.88 million. Minister Sour made these remarks at the official opening ceremony of the National Employment and Productivity Fair 2026 on the morning of September 12, 2026, at the Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Center. The 16th edition of this grand event was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Sok Chenda Sophea, representing Prime Minister Hun Manet. Over 1,100 participants attended, including representatives from the Senate, National Assembly, ministries, provincial administrations, the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, the Tycoon Association, the Artists Association, employers, employees, and national and international development partners. Speaking at the opening, Minister Heng Sour recalled that the National Employment and Productivity Fair, likened to a "Career Park," has been organized by the government annually since 2011. Its purpose is to create interventions in the labor market, strengthen relationships, and enhance the exchange of labor market information between the government, development partners, factory and enterprise owners, TVET institutions, and job seekers, especially youth. It also aims to increase understanding and foster a mindset for enhancing labor productivity. According to the minister, by 2025, the program had attracted a total of 480,000 visitors, with 1,385 companies participating, offering 240,000 job opportunities, and over 10,000 people securing immediate employment on the day of the fair, with many more finding jobs on subsequent days. He highlighted the proactive implementation by the Ministry of Labor of the Cambodian government's "Pentagon Strategy" Phase I, focusing on strengthening the efficiency of job search service mechanisms and employment platforms to quickly connect labor market demands with the supply of skilled labor. This involves modernizing data management systems, expanding the collection of job opportunity information, and promoting the use of digital technology platforms. In the past three years under the 7th mandate government, the ministry organized 796 employment forums with 200,000 participants, 2,026 mobile job fairs with 260,000 participants, and 25 national and provincial job fairs with 190,000 participants, helping approximately 390,000 citizens secure formal employment. In addition, about 297,000 youth from poor and vulnerable families have benefited from the TVET program since 2024. Furthermore, in collaboration with ministries and relevant parties, the ministry has helped over 650,000 former migrant workers find new jobs. Recently, the ministry launched the "Magic Mirror" program, a digital counseling service that integrates discussion forums and direct consultations. Deputy Prime Minister Sok Chenda Sophea praised the Ministry of Labor and its partners for organizing this significant forum, describing it not only as a place for exhibitions and job searching but as a key strategic mechanism connecting job seekers, employers, and training institutions. He highly commended the Ministry of Labor for its proactive intervention and high commitment to assisting former migrant workers, guided by the Prime Minister and led by the Deputy Prime Minister through the "Khmer Helps Khmer Find Jobs" campaign, especially in studying the labor market for present and future readiness. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed confidence that the national fair will encourage further support and participation from stakeholders to strengthen relationships with the government, thereby increasing knowledge and fostering a mindset for enhancing labor productivity. It is noteworthy that the National Employment and Productivity Fair 2026, held on September 12-13, 2026, features 150 major companies exhibiting and offering over 35,000 job opportunities for immediate application and on-site interviews.