Economy: Cambodia's minimum wage for textile workers to be raised to $208 by 2025

In a message posted on his social networks yesterday afternoon, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said that H.E. Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training and Chairman of the National Minimum Wage Council, had reported to him that negotiations on the minimum wage for 2025 had been concluded with 206 US dollars.

However, the Prime Minister has decided to add USD 2 to the approved amount of USD 206. The monthly minimum wage for 2025 is therefore USD 208, an increase of USD 4 compared with 2024

A majority of votes were cast in favour of this proposal, with 46 out of 51 ballots cast. In addition, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Royal Government's commitment to improving living standards, career opportunities and well-being for all, despite the difficult global economic climate.

The increase in the minimum wage for next year, however modest, is intended to alleviate some of the difficulties faced by workers and employees.

“In addition to the wage increase, I would like to inform workers and employees, as well as the public, that I will continue to urge the relevant ministries, institutions and authorities to monitor and implement additional measures to determine the possibility of reducing workers‘ and employees’ expenses,”H.E. Heng Sour said.

According to the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, the new minimum monthly wage will come into force on 1 January 2025. In addition to the wage, workers in the clothing, footwear and travel goods sector will receive other benefits for attendance, transport, rent and seniority.

The garment, footwear and travel goods industry is Cambodia's largest source of foreign exchange earnings. The sector comprises around 1,077 factories and branches, with a workforce of around 800,000, the majority of whom are women.