Better Protection for Workers and Farmers in Rubber and Banana Value Chains

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Phnom Penh, October 31, 2024_Oxfam and FAIR for ALL partners are jointly organizing the national dialogue on “Better Protection for Workers and Farmers in the Rubber and Banana Value Chains,” today in Phnom Penh. This event aims to celebrate achievements and showcase best practices by key stakeholders from the government and private sectors in protecting farmers and workers. It also facilitates on-going discussions to identify collaborative solutions for the remaining challenges. 

There are approximately 130 participants, including representatives from relevant ministries at the national and sub-national levels, private sectors, workers, farmers, civil society organizations, and other development partners.

Ms. Sophorn Phean, National Director of Oxfam, said, “In the agro-industrial sector, some rubber and banana workers have accessed social protection schemes, particularly the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), which offers various benefits. However, both the quantity and quality of these benefits remain limited. Workers’ residences and workspaces are located in remote areas, sometimes lacking telephone service. Additionally, workers are directly exposed to pesticides, which can be harmful to health if not used properly, along with adequate clothing, and protective equipment.”

Ms. Putheary Sin, Executive Director of the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC), said, “As a membership-based organization for NGOs in Cambodia with 186 members, including domestic and foreign NGOs, CCC works in partnership to promote good governance, fosters an enabling environment, and ensures the sustainability of civil society organizations. Contributing to the policies development on social protection and decent work for workers with the government is the solution to address the development challenges at both national and sub-national levels.”

Ms. Reasey Seng, Executive Director of SILAKA, said, “Women workers and farmers play an important role in the agricultural value chain, so this multi-stakeholder dialogue on social protection is crucial for finding shared solutions that ensure their lives are lived with dignity.”

Mr. Vorsak Bou, Executive Director of Natural Life Cambodia, said, 'Natural Life Cambodia is working to support two community forests in Ratanakiri to reduce conflicts with banana and rubber companies. We encourage all stakeholders in the banana and rubber value chains to strengthen communication and seek solutions to disputes, ensuring that the growth of these industrial crops is mutually beneficial for all.”

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Cambodia’s rubber exports to the international market have increased significantly. In the first six months of 2024, exports reached a total of $229 million, making a 19.83% increase compared to the same period in 2023, when they amounted to $191 million. Major export destinations included Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and China. By 2023, Cambodia had over 400,000 hectares (407,172) of rubber plantations.

In the first seven months of 2024, Cambodia exported more than 143,000 tons of bananas to international markets, earning over $96 million—a decrease of over 20% compared to the same period last year. This decline is attributed to climate change. Most of Cambodia's bananas are exported to Vietnam, Thailand, China, South Korea, and the European Union, with additional sales in the domestic market. Cambodia had over 16,000 hectares of banana plantations and more than 11,000 hectares of harvested land in 2022, with a slight increase expected in 2023. The primary banana-growing provinces include Ratanakiri, Kratie, Stung Treng, Kampot, Kampong Cham, and Kampong Speu.

This national dialogue is organized under the FAIR for ALL project by Oxfam, in collaboration with project partners including SIALKA, Farmer and Nature Net (FNN), Nature Life Cambodia (NLC), the Cambodian Agricultural Workers Federation (CAWF), Transparency International Cambodia (TIC), the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC), and the NGO Forum on Cambodia (NGOF). The FAIR for ALL (F4A) global project, launched in January 2021 and set to conclude in December 2025, operates across 17 countries and regions. In Cambodia, the project focuses on promoting effective collaboration in social, environmental, and responsible investment within the agro-industry, bananas and rubber.