Phnom Penh: On September 12, 2024, stakeholders of the National Minimum Wage Council began negotiations on the 2025 minimum wages for workers in the garment, footwear, bags and travel products sectors in Cambodia.

As a result of the National Minimum Wages Council meeting on September 6, 2024, the third round of negotiations regarding the minimum wage for workers in Cambodia for 2025 has taken place. The union representatives, advocating for the workers, have proposed an increase of $10 in addition to the existing base wage. Meanwhile, the employers have decided to offer an additional $2.

The two sides continued to explain their positions to each other in a professional and mature manner. At the same time, the Cambodian government representatives coordinated and provided additional explanations regarding the social and economic criteria to both the workers' representatives and the employers' representatives.

In the second round of talks held on August 29, the unions representing workers in the garment, footwear, bag, and travel products sectors proposed raising wages by $14 in addition to the existing base wage of $204, along with other benefits. In response, the employer side agreed to add $1 to the existing base wage of $204.

Initially, the minimum wage proposal was $14. The union representatives, advocating for the workers, discussed various factors, including household status, inflation, demand, productivity, competitiveness, market conditions, and sector profit margins. They proposed an increase of $14 in addition to the existing wage, along with other benefits.

It should be noted that the relevant parties will continue to negotiate wages for workers in 2025. The fifth round of negotiations will be held on September 18.