Minister of Labour and Vocational Training H.E. Heng Sour presided over a Garment, Footwear, and Travel Goods (GFT) Forum in Phnom Penh on Thursday, reaffirming Cambodia’s commitment to strengthening labour law compliance and improving working conditions to support sustainable sector growth.
The forum, held at the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, was attended by H.E. Christian DesRoches, Ambassador of Canada to Cambodia, and Ms. Froukje Boele, Programme Manager of the Better Factories Cambodia (ILO-BFC) project, along with key stakeholders from the industry.
In his remarks, H.E. Heng Sour emphasised that building strong professional relations requires a shared commitment to honest and constructive social dialogue among all stakeholders, particularly employers and workers.
Against the backdrop of growing global economic uncertainty, the forum provided a platform for stakeholders to collaborate on addressing challenges, maintaining a favourable investment climate, and safeguarding jobs in Cambodia’s key GFT sector.
The Minister highlighted that strengthening mutual understanding, enhancing cooperation, and fostering a shared commitment to sustainable and harmonious practices are essential pillars of industrial relations.
“This partnership has evolved into a globally recognised model, delivering tangible improvements in working conditions, labour law compliance, and transparency in global supply chains,” he said.
H.E. Heng Sour also underscored Cambodia’s efforts to strengthen bilateral, tripartite, and “tripartite-plus” mechanisms to promote a culture of social dialogue, particularly at the enterprise and factory levels, to ensure harmonious industrial relations.
He encouraged all stakeholders to actively engage in dialogue mechanisms and continue investing in capacity building to promote professionalism, transparency, and trust in labour relations.
On the occasion, Canadian Ambassador H.E. Christian DesRoches and ILO-BFC Programme Manager Ms. Froukje Boele emphasised the importance of collaboration among the government, employers, and workers in strengthening the manufacturing sector and advancing workers’ rights.
They reaffirmed their support for enhancing communication systems, productivity, and job stability, noting that inclusive participation and the adoption of new technologies will help ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability.
The GFT industry remains Cambodia’s largest source of foreign exchange, accounting for 46.5 percent of total export value. The sector comprises more than 1,500 factories and branches, employing over 900,000 workers, the majority of whom are women.
In 2025, Cambodia’s GFT exports reached approximately US$15.7 billion, marking an increase of about 15.8 percent compared to 2024.
