Phnom Penh: On May 1, 2026, Mr. Heng Sour, Minister of Labor and Vocational Training, presided over the 140th anniversary of International Labor Day and the Public Forum of Social Dialogue under the theme “Response Policies, Social Protection, Labor Rights and the Global Crisis” held at the Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Center. This was his third participation in this meaningful day.
Speaking to approximately 1,200 participants representing unions, federations, unions, associations, communities, partner organizations, and relevant ministries and institutions, the Minister considered the choice to hold a public forum at this time to be a “good and effective strategy” for raising suggestions and finding solutions to all the concerns of workers, employees, and farmers, rather than sending letters or corresponding through the media, as they can meet in person with distinguished speakers and experts from relevant ministries. Such a forum continues to strengthen social dialogue between the Royal Government, unions, employers and civil society organizations in order to promote policies to address challenges, especially labor rights, job security and social protection systems in the context of the global crisis, as well as to ensure the progress of better industrial relations.
With a reminder of the history and meaning of May 1, Mr. Heng Sour He emphasized that the demand for improving labor rights as well as social dialogue is not limited to today, but must continue every day. The Minister urged all parties concerned to use this day as a day to gather a collective spirit of love for the workplace and the country, emphasizing that maintaining a harmonious, tolerant, and understanding workplace will make factories and productivity grow and increase wages.
He added that during the economic crisis and global energy. The Royal Government has also introduced a series of measures to ease the retail price of fuel for citizens and farmers, especially the decision to provide a temporary travel allowance of $2.50 in addition to the existing travel and accommodation allowance for workers, with the Royal Government exempting a total of approximately $100 million in taxes from mid-February to April.
On the occasion, the Minister said that In line with the high recommendation of His Excellency Mr. Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, the Ministry of Labor has always given the highest priority to protecting the rights, freedoms, benefits, dignity and well-being of workers. He stated that the approximately 2.7 million workers in the system and approximately 8 million workers outside the system are important economic drivers who need to be given equal opportunities. As a tangible achievement, as of the first quarter of 2026, the number of members of the C.S.C., self-employed individuals and their dependents, has increased to 920,000, who will receive insurance for occupational accidents, health care and pensions. He emphasized that “Health is the most precious asset both now and in the future, because when we are healthy, we will have everything and it is also a great fortune for future generations.”
Mr. Heng Sour accepted the suggestions of the brothers and declared his readiness to always participate in finding solutions, and also urged the union leaders and members, as well as the workers and employees of the union and employers continue to cooperate in a spirit of mutual understanding and tolerance, based on the applicable legal framework, to protect common interests and ensure the harmony of professional relations and attractiveness for investment. At the same time, he also called on everyone to continue to promote the principles and policies of the Royal Government and, most importantly, to maintain strong faith in the Royal Government.
Mr. Kong Athit, President of the Cambodian Labor Confederation (CLC), as the organizer of the program in collaboration with the Cambodian Workers’ Movement Confederation (CCW) and the Cambodian Farmers’ Community Alliance (CCFC) deeply thanked the Minister for the invitation to participate, which helped strengthen the policy response, labor rights and social protection, as well as providing good recommendations, and he pledged to continue working together to promote labor rights and strengthen social dialogue in solving sustainable problems for workers and farmers.
