"New guidelines aim to reduce accidents at construction sites", 18 September 2021

Australia and Cambodia signed an agreement paving the way for better safety standards in the notoriously underregulated construction industry, the Australian Embassy announced ...

“The rapid transformation of Cambodia’s cities has created new challenges,” Australian Ambassador Pablo Kang said in a statement released by the embassy. “The major building collapses in recent years were tragedies…

… “Since Cambodia passed its landmark Construction Law …, we have been working ceaselessly on implementation. Enforceable safety standards for work sites are vital and we appreciate Australia’s support for us to move ahead with this quickly,” Sophara said ...

… “These guidelines will provide guidance to industry on how to put in place robust safety standards. We will also continue work … with MLMUPC to undertake outreach to the construction sector as well as training for MLMUPC on how to assess compliance with the new safety rules.”

… Two building collapses in the space of six months in 2019 and 2020 that left 64 people dead underscored the lack of safety standards.

Sok Kin, president of Building and Wood Workers Trade Union Federation of Cambodia (BWTUC) said that the health and safety guidelines would be an important step for worker protection.

“I think that the danger rate for construction workers is high in Cambodia,” said Kin.

He said that he congratulated the cooperation between Cambodia and Australia regarding the regulations, but said enforcement would be key.

… Roeun Chan, a 50-year-old construction worker, told … that while he has been provided with adequate safety equipment, he was glad to hear of the new regulations…