Phnom Penh: Unions and workers in the garment sector in Cambodia have said that the government’s efforts to continuously increase wages year after year, which has made workers’ lives better, are in line with the spirit of International Workers’ Day on May 1.
Mr. Sam Soeun, President of the National Union of Labor of Cambodia, sees that the Royal Government’s continuous wage increases are very important for the labor sector. They can help attract labor, increase additional income, contribute to building harmony in the workplace, as well as promote workplace rights and help compete in the job market in the country, which is in line with International Labor Day on May 1.
He said, “The 2026 minimum wage increase will not only increase to $210, but will also add many benefits to workers, which shows the government’s attention to making workers’ lives more comfortable than before.”
Ms. Naing Srey Nich, a worker at Nice Phe Khi Ching factory, said: The Cambodian government’s continuous wage increases are a testament to the government’s concern for workers, coinciding with International Workers’ Day on May 1.
She said, ” The annual wage increase allows me to save some money and send it to my family back home, which improves my daily life. I would like to thank the government for its efforts to find investors both domestically and internationally so that all workers can have a decent life.”
Mr. Hang Ravy, president of the Cambodian Workers’ Rights Union, said the wage increase has helped improve the lives of workers and employees. Obviously, employees have the ability to spend on leisure during the holidays, support their children’s education, have savings to help their families, especially their parents and relatives, etc.
He said, “The government’s efforts to increase wages in the next round have helped improve the lives of workers and employees across the country, allowing them to save more money to support their families.”
On the morning of May 1, workers, unions, and informal economy workers from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the 140th anniversary of International Workers’ Day, May 1, 2026, which demonstrates the harmony in the workplace, the promotion of labor rights, and the improvement of labor rights and trade unionism.
