Better Factories Cambodia program gets new three-year MoU

The new three-year MOU emphasizes improvements in the garment industry, including expanded data-sharing with the Royal Government of Cambodia detailing compliance and non-compliance of individual factories with Cambodia labour law and internationally recognized core labour standards.

The agreement also promotes the enforcement role of the Royal Government of Cambodia and acknowledges the re-introduction of public disclosure as mechanisms to help make significant and sustainable improvements across the industry.

The agreement increases financial support from GMAC and the government for the programme that follows economic trends in the Cambodian garment industry.

Excellency Sun Chanthol, Senior Minister, Minister of Commerce said: “The signing of the MOU reflects the commitment of the Royal Government of Cambodia to work closely with the ILO and GMAC to ensure that Cambodian labour law and internationally recognized core labour standards are properly implemented.

"We want Cambodia to be the strongest and most socially compliant garment industry in the region and in the world. We want the “Made in Cambodia brand” to be associated with quality products made by workers that have their working conditions and rights respected.”

Excellency Ith Sam Heng, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training noted that “The Royal Government of Cambodia has been and will continue to commit to make sure that workers’ right and labour standards are enforced in order to build a good image of products made in Cambodia to compete effectively in the world market. We urge the international buyers to increase their orders from Cambodia.”

Mr. Van Sou Ieng, President of the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) said that “GMAC fully supports the policy of the Cambodian Government to link trade and labor compliance and calls on all buyers to also commit to this in practical terms through an increase in sourcing price and quantity.”

Maurizio Bussi, Officer in Charge of ILO Country Office for Cambodia noted that the MOU is the result of extensive consultations with the Ministries of Labour and Vocational Training, Commerce and the ILO’s national tripartite partners. 

“The ILO looks forward to working constructively with Cambodian constituents and international partners over the life of the MOU in an area of central importance to Cambodia as part of the agreed commitment to advance with the effective implementation of the Decent Work agenda.  Sustained coordination and a solid alignment of all our collaborative efforts will continue to be central to our work.”

The MOU has been renewed four times by the parties since the ILO programme began in 2001.

Better Factories Cambodia is a programme created to help building the economy and competitiveness of Cambodia through performing assessments on the working conditions in the garment factories based on Cambodia Labour Law and internationally recognized core labour standards and its reporting.

International Labour Organization