Labor Ministry, ILO set out plan for minimum wage reforms
Facing public pressure from major garment brands and labor unions, the Ministry of Labor and the International Labor Organization (ILO) will cooperate in the coming months to reform the current system of setting the minimum wage in the garment sector. The reform process will begin with a public seminar planned for April 24 and 25, which will mark the first tripartite meeting between the government, factory owners and union leaders since labor protests were violently suppressed in early January, according to ILO national coordinator Tun Sophorn. … Labor Ministry spokesman Heng Suor said the ministry has agreed to work with the ILO to reform the minimum wage setting system, but is not considering an immediate revision of the monthly wage. The Labor Advisory Committee (LAC), the tripartite body tasked with setting the minimum wage, has come under intense criticism from unions for failing to properly represent workers. There are currently two non-government aligned union leaders on the 27-member LAC, resulting in votes that overwhelmingly support proposals made by the government—and are often favorable to factory owners. Despite a government-backed study conducted last year that estimated a living wage for garment workers at more than $155, the LAC on December 24 settled on a $95 minimum wage. Amid protests against the decision, the Labor Ministry unilaterally raised the floor wage on December 31 to $100.
Aun Pheap and Colin Meyn
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/labor-ministry-ilo-set-out-plan-for-minimum-wage-reforms-55869/
