"Unions want minimum wage increase for garment workers", 15 August 2022

Unions representing Cambodian garment workers say they would like to see an increase in the minimum wage next year, but that companies are hesitant due to the unstable global economy, mainly a result of the war in Ukraine.

Unions, companies, and officials from the Ministry of Labor met for a first round of talks at the Ministry’s National Council on Minimum Wage ...

Ath Thorn, president of the Cambodian Labour Confederation, one of the country’s biggest independent unions, attended the meeting. He said that the union still has to hold an internal meeting to discuss an official figure for 2023, but that he hoped to see an increase of around $20.

“We have yet to discuss the detailed figure. This morning I just listened to the presentation [of the overall situation] by the ministry,” Mr. Thorn said.

However he said he thought a monthly minimum wage of about $215 in 2023 would be appropriate. Currently the minimum wage in the industry is $194.

… Kaing Monika, deputy secretary-general at the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia, could not be reached for comment.

… Pak Ram, 26, a worker at Y&W Garment factory in Phnom Penh, said he supports a negotiated minimum wage for workers because the current wage of $194 is not enough to live on.

“The current salary is not enough for daily expenses because the wage is very small,” he said. “I would need at least $220 to survive, and be able to pay my rent and electricity.”