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Deadly Collision Claims 67 Lives in U.S. Air Disaster | At Least 30 Dead and Many Injured in Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela in India | Chinese President Xi Jinping Affirms Cambodia's Role as a Key Partner in China’s Diplomatic Strategy | Xi Jinping Concludes State Visit to Cambodia, Strengthening Bilateral Ties | Chinese President Xi Jinping Concludes Successful State Visit to Cambodia | Chinese Ambassador: US-China Trade Tensions Harm Developing Nations; President Xi Urges Investment in Cambodia and Expanded Market Access | Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Ships Bungo and Etazima Dock at Ream Sea Base for Four-Day Visit | Prime Minister Hun Manet Expresses Displeasure Over Criticism of Chinese Investments During Kampot International Tourist Port Inauguration | Asian Development Bank Collaborates with Cambodia on New Development Projects Worth Over $1 Billion |

Minister Ith Sam Heng Says Cambodian Associations Have Full Freedom to Perform Their Work

  • Posted Apr 1, 2022 15:17 by Hun Sirivadh
  • 2522
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PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Labor, Ith Sam Heng, confirmed to the representative of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Takanobu Teramoto, that Cambodia does not prohibit or restrict the freedoms of anyone who wishes to join any union based on their will. In addition, fundamental freedoms as well as freedom of association within the framework of international law are recognized and guaranteed under the laws of Cambodia.

Minister Ith Sam Heng confirmed this while the Royal Government of Cambodia received the ILO Direct Mission in a tripartite meeting attended by representatives of relevant ministries, institutions, unions and employers with a direct mission delegation on Friday morning (1 April 2022) at the Ministry of Labor.

During the meeting, Minister Ith Sam Heng stated that due to Cambodia's implementation of international trade policy, integration and international labor standards, good cooperation with international labor organizations (which ensures better working conditions), the defense of labor rights, freedoms, and professional organization, the garment and footwear industry has grown significantly and played an important role in contributing to the socio-economic development of Cambodia since the 1990s. He added that the implementation of freedom of association in the Kingdom of Cambodia can be done through the Law on Trade Unions and other laws such as the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations (LANGO).

"Therefore, Cambodia not only has a legal system that fully guarantees the exercise of freedom of association, but also provides practical options for the exercise of freedom of association," he said.

From 28 March to 1 April 2022, the ILO Working Group, in addition to meeting with the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, also met with relevant ministries, institutions, professional organizations and other social partners to understand the situation and Progress of the exercise of the right to freedom of professional organization in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The visiting delegation highly appreciated the Royal Government of Cambodia's efforts to improve labor rights and freedoms of professional organizations, despite the remaining issues, after meeting with representatives of relevant ministries, unions, union representatives and employers' representatives and social partners working on labor rights to listen to opinions and suggestions.

Mr. Takanobu Teramoto confirmed to the Minister of Labor, "The Royal Government of Cambodia is very committed to the implementation of the 13 ILO conventions that Cambodia has ratified through efforts to strengthen the implementation of labor laws — Trade Union Law, Social Security Law, Minimum Wage Law, National Employment Policy, National Policy on Vocational Education and Training, Migration Policy, Better Factories in Cambodia — and a decent work program for Cambodia, which so far has five stages.

According to the Minister of Labor, the garment sector started in Cambodia with 64 factories with about 80,000 workers in 1997, but has now grown to more than 1,200 factories with about 800,000 workers.

The value of exports in the sector increased from US $227 million to US $9,768 million in the same period. As of January 2022, there were 5,773 registered professional organizations, including 5,464 local unions, 257 trade unions, 40 unions, and 12 employers' associations. In particular, in 2021, the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training registered 262 new unions.


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