"Cambodia government moves to quash fears of forced labour in garment sector", 21 March 2023

The Cambodian Government has moved to quell concerns of forced labour in its garment production sector, following calls for a probe by international trade bodies and brands.

On a video conference with the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and VF Corporation, Cambodia’s Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce, Sok Sopheak, who heads the commission for manufacturing subcontract management in the garment, textile and footwear industry, said the country will improve on existing labour mechanisms by adding detailed procedures, permanent management mechanisms, and responsibilities for relevant companies, especially sub-subcontractors, in a bid to combat forced labour in factories.

“Cambodia is obligated to abide by national and international laws,” asserted Sopheak. “The commission has also been disseminating national and international regulations relating to the use of forced labour to factories and enterprises in order to avoid the violation of the law by the private sector, which leads to fines, sanctions and damage to the interests of factories, enterprises and the reputation of Cambodia.”

… He said an inter-ministry commission has been in effect … whose scope has been expanded … through the addition of senior members from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training which opened a special investigation on the suspected use of forced labour that is contrary to the labour law the country.

…, the AAFA and the VF Corporation agreed to cooperate to offer information necessary to protect the reputation of Cambodian products and requested that the commission continue its investigation into relevant companies.