INTERNATIONAL: PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Labor and Vocational Training, Ith Sam Heng, received the Head of the Direct Mission and Delegation of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Mr. Takanobu Teramoto, at the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training on Monday morning (28 March).

On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, as well as the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, Minister Ith Sam Heng extended a warm welcome to the direct delegation of the ILO, who arrive in Cambodia for the third time. This mission is very important not only for the ILO, but also for the Kingdom of Cambodia, as it is an opportunity for the relevant ministries of the Royal Government and relevant partners, including representatives of professional organizations and social partners, to meet and have direct conversations with the ILO delegation to highlight the development of the labor sector in Cambodia, with special respect to the respect for the freedom of professional organizations.

Minister Ith Sam Heng informed the delegation that respect for the rights and freedoms of professional organizations is guaranteed and promoted in the Kingdom of Cambodia. Cambodia associates respect for working conditions with international trade. However, he added that in accordance with International Labor Convention No. 87, the Law on Trade Unions of the Kingdom of Cambodia gives full rights and freedoms to workers and employers to establish and exercise their freedom of association without coercion or intimidation. He also said the Kingdom of Cambodia will not allow cases of workers or union leaders to be arrested or persecuted for legitimate activities in the exercise of freedom of association.

The Minister also stated that through the meeting with technical officials of the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, relevant ministries, representatives of professional organizations and social partners in the future, the delegation will receive accurate information from all angles to make their considerations and evaluations effectively.

He continued that the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training also looks forward to accepting the direct recommendations of this mission to further improve the working conditions and freedoms of professional organizations in line with the Cambodian social and economic context.

In response, the Head of Delegation thanked Minister Ith Sam Heng and the leadership of the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training for welcoming his delegation to carry out their mission in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The meeting and consultation between the delegation and the leadership of the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training was intended to provide a better understanding to the visiting delegation, which was able to draw conclusions for all stakeholders on better and more effective implementation required related to the fields of professional relations, labor rights, and freedom of professional organization, in accordance with labor laws and international standards that Cambodia has ratified.