Cambodia's 2027 Minimum Wage Negotiations End in Stalemate
Minimum wage talks for Cambodia's garment and footwear sectors stalled on September 18, with worker representatives demanding a rise to up to $250.60 and employers insisting on keeping the wage at $210. The National Council on Minimum Wage will meet again on September 28 to continue negotiations.
Negotiations on Cambodia's minimum wage for 2027 ended without a breakthrough on Friday, as representatives for workers and employers both refused to move from the positions they presented earlier in the week.
The talks were held on September 18 and marked the third meeting of the fourth-term National Council on Minimum Wage to set the wage for workers in the textile, garment, footwear and travel goods sectors, according to a statement from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.
Eight Meetings Held So Far
The Council has now convened eight times as part of this year's wage-setting process. These have included three tripartite sessions with all parties, one bilateral meeting between employee and employer delegates, three internal meetings among worker representatives and one internal meeting among employer representatives.
Government delegates are acting as mediators in the process and briefed both sides on the social and economic criteria that guide the minimum wage decision.
Workers Seek Raise, Employers Want Freeze
Worker representatives continued to push for a pay increase, though they were not unified on the amount. The ministry said most are seeking a $15.30 raise, which would lift the monthly minimum wage from $210 to $225.30, while others are calling for a larger increase of $40.60 to $250.60 per month.
Employer representatives, on the other hand, maintained their stance that the current minimum wage of $210 per month should remain unchanged.
A further round of negotiations has been scheduled for September 28.