International Labor Organization in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, met to discuss work related to the progress of cooperation and consideration of new projects.
(Phnom Penh): Throughout this week, the Royal Government of Cambodia received a direct mission of the International Labor Organization led by Mr. Takanobu Teramoto and colleagues to visit Cambodia from March 28 to April 1. 2022. In addition to meeting with the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, the delegation also met with relevant ministries, institutions, professional organizations and other social partners to find out about the situation and progress of the implementation of freedom of association in the Kingdom of Cambodia. On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, as well as the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, HE Dr. Ith Sam Heng, Minister of Labor and Vocational Training, thanked the direct delegation for taking the valuable time to inspect the implementation of rights and responsibilities. Freedom of professional organization in Cambodia directly. His Excellency believes that through busy meetings throughout the week with relevant parties and institutions, the mission has clearly seen the real situation of the development of industrial relations in Cambodia.
In a tripartite meeting attended by representatives of relevant ministries, institutions, union representatives and employers' representatives with the direct mission delegation on the morning of April 1, 2022 at the Ministry of Labor Mission of the International Labor Organization. We would like to thank the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training for its full cooperation in carrying out the mission in Cambodia smoothly and achieving the objectives of its mission.
The 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 to draw conclusions for recommendations to all parties to implement more effectively to ensure labor rights and freedoms. Professional organizations as stated in the Labor Law and International Labor Conventions, especially Conventions 87 and 98, which the Royal Government of Cambodia is very committed to implement in accordance with the 13 ILO conventions that Cambodia has. Ratification through efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Labor Law, the Law on Trade Unions, the Law on Social Security, the Law on the Minimum Wage, the National Policy on Employment and Labor, the National Policy on Vocational Education and Training, the Immigration Policy. Better Factories Cambodia project and decent work program for Cambodia, which is now 5 stages.
HE Dr. Ith Sam Heng stated that due to Cambodia's good implementation of international trade policy, integration and international labor standards, and good cooperation with international labor organizations, which ensures better working conditions, ensures the protection of labor rights. The right to freedom of professional association as a garment, footwear and bag industry has grown significantly and has played an important role in contributing to the socio-economic development of Cambodia since the 1990s. In fact, the sector started 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 227 million US dollars to 9,768 million US dollars 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.
He added that the implementation of freedom of association in the Kingdom of Cambodia can be achieved 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. Cambodia does not prohibit or restrict the freedom of anyone to join any union based on their will. Fundamental freedoms, as well as the freedom to join or form unions under the framework of international law, are recognized and guaranteed under the laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
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