"Unions prepare to negotiate minimum wage", 19 August 2019

Unions are preparing to meet with Labour Ministry officials ... to discuss the minimum wage in the garment sector for 2020.

..., unions, Labour Ministry officials and the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia held individual meetings on the minimum wage..., unions and GMAC representatives are expected to separately meet Labour Ministry officials...

Currently, the minimum wage for garment and footwear factory workers is set at $182... Labour Minister Ith Samheng said all parties should consider seven social and economic criteria, such as inflation and competitiveness, before proposing a figure ...

Far Saly, president of the National Trade Unions Coalition, ... said the prospect of the European Union suspending the Everything-but-arms trade scheme has created uncertainty among employers.

“The situation this year has not been as smooth as last year’s because of the EBA issue,” Mr Saly said. “Employers are not happy about increasing wages.”...

“I think only the government can solve the problem,” he said, adding that he is aiming to propose an $18 increase.

Yang Sophorn, president of the Cambodian Alliance Trade Union, ... said she still expects an increase next year.

“For me, I think the negotiations on the minimum wage will be smooth like last year because the current political situation is good,” Ms Sophorn said. “The negotiation process will yield good results for our workers.”

Heng Sour, spokesman for the Labour Ministry, ... said all sides should reveal their proposed amounts ...

“This won’t be the first time they express concerns or demand a wage increase,” Mr Sour said.