Phnom Penh: Workers must show courage and report any insults from employers to their union representative or directly to the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training. Such reports are treated with full confidentiality.

Workers who experience verbal abuse or harassment from employers should act promptly. They should first use internal channels or contact their union if one exists, and escalate to the Ministry of Labour when needed. Taking these steps protects their rights and helps create a safer workplace.

Workers should carefully document every incident, recording the date, time, location, exact words used, any witnesses present, and related communications such as emails or messages. Thorough records transform personal experiences into strong, credible evidence that can support investigations by the union or the Ministry.

When it comes to unions, workers are strongly encouraged to approach their union representatives first. Doing so allows them to benefit from the union’s collective strength before, if necessary, lodging a formal report with the Ministry of Labour.

Unions serve as the primary mechanism for resolving workplace disputes at the earliest stage. The Ministry of Labour, in turn, intervenes to mediate conflicts and provides protection against retaliation for workers who report in good faith. The Ministry has recently made confidential reporting simpler and more accessible for all workers.