"Cambodian Unions Have More Women in Leadership", 29 May 2025

Cambodia has one of the highest rates of female workforce participation in Southeast Asia, with women making up 90% of garment workers and nearly 40% of the construction industry. Yet, despite the fact that these industries would grind to a halt without them, women remain underrepresented in all leadership positions, including union leadership, and are often excluded from major decisions that affect their livelihoods…

The unions are pushing for change

Three major unions/workers associations are leading efforts to support urban women workers:

• Cambodian Food and Service Workers Federation (CFSWF) – Advocating for women in hospitality, restaurants, and food processing.
• Building and Wood Workers Trade Unions Federation of Cambodia (BWTUC) – Representing women in low-paid construction jobs.
• Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA) – Supporting informal workers, including street vendors, domestic workers, waste pickers, and tuk-tuk drivers.

Through gender equity action plans, leadership training, and national advocacy, these unions are creating pathways for women to take on decision-making roles. More women now hold leadership positions, including in national women’s committees.

Stronger protections for women

Unions are also fighting to improve working conditions and legal protections for women by pushing for:

• Expanded access to Cambodia’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) for women workers.
• Stronger protections against workplace harassment and gender-based violence.
• Improved occupational health and safety (OHS) standards, particularly in male-dominated industries…

Changing the rules

Beyond workplace training, unions are engaging directly with government ministries to push for policy change.

• Policy dialogues have led to national reports promoting women’s workplace welfare.
• Public events and awareness campaigns—such as May Day, International Women’s Day, and the 16 Days of Activism—have reached tens of thousands through union-led social media campaigns.
• International forums, such as the “Forum on Transformative Strategies Towards Gender Equality in Trade Unions,” have brought together union leaders and civil society groups to exchange ideas and develop strategies for reform…