Cambodian working group to discuss new minimum wage

15 Sep '17

2 min read

The Cambodian labour ministry recently set up a technical working group to discuss the new minimum wage for 2018 and arrive at a consensus. Part of the ministry’s labour advisory committee chaired by labour minister Ith Samheng, the working group will have 16 members each from the ministry, trade unions and employers. It will start meeting from September 25.

Samheng said the working group will focus on two criteria to arrive at a figure: social issues, covering cost of living, inflation and living standards; and economic factors, including profitability of the sectors, the country’s competitiveness, productivity and the labour market, according to Cambodian media reports.

The minimum wage for the garment and footwear industry would not be lower than $160 per month, said the minister.

Around $200 per month for the workers’ minimum wage would offer a decent living, according to Ath Thorn, president of the Cambodian Labour Confederation, who added that after approval of the minimum wage, he would request for discussions about benefits and other factors to boost incomes and improve the lives of workers.

Employers organisations are opposed to the proposed raise in minimum wage. The minimum wage of the garment textile and footwear industry this year is $153 per month. Prime Minister Hun Sen had said last month that the minimum wage would rise to at least $168 per month in 2018. (DS)

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