May 1st marks the 138th anniversary of the International Labour’s Day (locally known as May’s Day), a widely celebrated event in Cambodia and around the world. 

The inception of International Labour Day can be traced back to the late 19th-century labour movement in the United States. May 1st was selected as the significant date to honour a nationwide strike of many brave people advocating for an eight-hour workday, which began on May 1st in 1886.

Oxfam, along with our 40 partner organisations, has come together to celebrate International Labour Day with the theme “Strengthening Decent Work for All.” This reflect our ongoing commitment to promoting and safeguarding the rights and economic well-being of workers, who are the major force behind economic growth and Cambodia’s development.

The campaign will span a full week and involve workers, employers, local authorities, and stakeholders at both national and sub-national levels in Cambodia. Our aim is to raise awareness and emphasise the importance of improving decent work conditions across all sectors, particularly focusing on securing social security benefits and representation rights.

“NSSF should consider including an annual health check for each NSSF cardholder to enhance earlier diagnosis.”

Tieng Soya, a garment worker from Kampong Speu province.
Tieng Soya, a garment worker from Kampong Speu

Tieng Soya, one of the attendees during the International Labour’s Day at CDC park. Photo: Ney Bunthoeurn 

Whilst working conditions for Cambodia’s apparel workers have gradually improved, those in the agri-food sector and street vending still exposed to humid weather and poor working conditions. One particular concern is the limited access to social protection benefits and coverages. 

Ath Thorn, President of Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC), said, “Cambodia cannot achieve Sustainable Development Goals, so does the Pentagon Strategy, without strengthening decent work and economic wellbeing of workers. We need better access to social protection benefits, rights to representation, and other important aspects, including maternity and pregnancy protection for women workers.”

Mr. Ath Thorn, Mr. Vorn Pov, and other union leaders submitted petition to the National Assembly. Picture: CLC

Mr. Ath Thorn, Mr. Vorn Pov, and other union leaders submitted petition to the National Assembly. Photo: CLC

We've submitted petitions on behalf of workers from all sectors to the National Assembly, the government, and the cabinet of the Prime Minister sharing their concerns and advocating for appropriate policy interventions. Our campaign at the local level will also continue.

Oxfam has long prioritized Decent Work and Inclusive Social Protection Systems as key elements in our efforts to reduce poverty, promote gender justice, and sustainable economic growth.

We have been working with partner organizations to implement various projects including Improving Social Protection and Labour Rights for women workers in ASEAN’s Agri-Food Sector, a new 5-year project supported by Belgium Government; Inclusive National Social Protection Initiatives that Respond to the Needs of Apparel Industry Employees” (INSPIRE), a three-year project funded by the Laudes Foundation; Improving Synergies between Social Protection and Public Finance Management (SP&PFM) and Fostering an Inclusive and Shock-Responsive Social Protection System in Cambodia (FIRST), both funded by the European Commission; Improved Access to Labor Protection Mechanisms and Gender Equality for Female Workers in the Apparel Sector in Cambodia, funded by GIZ and FABRIC Cambodia.

Oxfam and our partner organisations are committed to collaborating with the Royal Government of Cambodia through the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MoLVT), National Social Protection Council (NSPC), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, and other government ministries to bolster decent work and inclusive social protection systems in the country.