PHNOM PENH: In a meeting with 18,000 workers in Por Sen Chey district on the morning of August 29, Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the increase in the minimum wage for workers is a policy that the Royal Government continues to discuss and implement.

The PM said that government is making efforts to attract investors and negotiate salary increases for the benefit of the people. He recalled that in 1997, Cambodia had 64 factories with only 30,000 workers. He said that these days Cambodia has around 17,000 factories, including 1,332 garment factories, which employ 1.5 million workers.

“Currently, workers have a base salary of $200, in addition to other benefits. This year the government is negotiating to increase the minimum wage for 2024 and it is the policy of the Royal Government to continue," he said.

The PM attempted to placate the workers by comparing their salary to those in neighboring countries. He said that Vietnam has a slightly lower minimum wage of $198, Bangladesh has a salary of $75 and Sri Lankan workers make as little as $39 per month.

In addition to receiving a base salary, workers also receive some maternity benefits, as well as additional funding from the Royal Government. In addition, workers also receive discounts on water, electricity and transportation, especially on New Year's Day and Pchum Ben, when they are provided free buses to return home.