"Cambodian ministry introduce heat monitoring system to protect factory workers", 14 May 2026

The newly announced Better Factories Cambodia (BFC) programme will pilot an automated system that will monitor heat levels, humidity and other environmental conditions in factories and other large commercial sites. The move is considered essential for the health and safety of workers, particularly during the dry season.

The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training is partnering with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to introduce the new initiative.

Labour minister Heng Sour announced the BFC … event, held to celebrate “World Day for Safety and Health at Work”….

The minister explained that this year’s aimed to encourage greater awareness and attention from all stakeholders to better understand the impacts of heat stress and mental stress, and to jointly develop comprehensive preventive measures…

Alongside strengthening law enforcement mechanisms and workplace risk assessments, the minister stressed that investment in heat management systems and workers’ mental health should not be seen as a financial burden, but rather as a strategic investment to improve productivity and ensure business sustainability.

“In this context, the ministry will pilot an automated technical system to monitor heat levels, odours and humidity in factories,” Sour said, adding that at the same time, awareness campaigns about the impacts of heat stress and mental health are being promoted to ensure a safe and comfortable working environment for the kingdom’s hundreds of thousands of factory workers.

He urged labour inspectors to encourage commercial operations to introduce heat monitoring systems, rapid information systems and effective occupational safety and health management systems (OSH), as well as continued cooperation with development partners and the use of tripartite mechanisms to expand protection for workers…