Cambodia Minimum Wage Talks: Workers Push for $225, Employers Resist Increase

Worker representatives in Cambodia are advocating for a minimum wage increase to $225 per month for 2027, while employer groups are calling for the current $210 rate to stay in place, according to discussions at the National Council on Minimum Wage.

The competing proposals were presented during Monday's session at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, where the tripartite council continued negotiations over wage levels for employees in the garment, textile, footwear, and bag manufacturing industries.

Labour Minister Heng Sour, who chairs the wage council, led the morning session. The ministry reported that this marked the 14th meeting dedicated to determining next year's minimum wage. The discussions have included four tripartite sessions, two bilateral talks between workers and employers, separate consultations between government officials and each side, internal deliberations within each group, and a government-only meeting.

Monday's gathering served to solidify each party's stance before the final tripartite vote scheduled for later this month.

While council members agreed on the need to ease financial pressures on workers, they differed significantly on the best approach, the ministry stated.

Some participants noted that Cambodian wage levels already exceed those of regional competitors, but argued that a significant wage boost would help reduce workers' financial strain.

Other members countered that maintaining the current wage or implementing a smaller increase would better protect Cambodia's competitive edge, safeguard existing positions, and generate employment opportunities for workers' relatives.

The ministry confirmed that most worker representatives are backing the $15 increase to reach $225 monthly.

Employer representatives, by contrast, want to maintain both the $210 base wage and the existing $2.50 transportation stipend, consistent with an arrangement finalized in March of last year.

The council has scheduled its conclusive tripartite meeting for September 30, when members will cast votes to establish the official minimum wage for 2027.