Cambodia has taken a significant step towards strengthening occupational safety and health by advancing its first comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law.
The latest round of tripartite consultations was held in Phnom Penh on 8 July 2026 organised by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT), in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO).
It brought together around 200 representatives from government, employers' and workers' organizations and development partners to review the draft law and help ensure it reflects Cambodia's national priorities while aligning with relevant International Labour Standards in particular, the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187).
Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training and Chair of the National Committee for Occupational Safety and Health chaired the event.
"The Royal Government is committed to realizing a safe and healthy environment for all workers in Cambodia as a foundation for decent work and sustainable economic growth," said Minister Sour.
He also noted that the draft OSH Law consolidated and modernized more than 20 existing legal instruments on occupational safety and health, helping improve labour productivity, strengthen competitiveness, and align Cambodia's legal framework with regional and international practices. The Minister further stressed the importance of coordination and cooperation across the government as well as employers and workers to develop an effective legislation ensuring high-level of compliance.
Tun Sophorn, ILO National Coordinator in Cambodia, highlighted that a resilient national OSH system requires a sound legal framework, strong institutions, established enforcement mechanism, and positive social dialogue. He also reaffirmed the ILO's assistance to Cambodia throughout the legislative process and implementation.
Representatives of employers and workers, including Oknha Sar Kinal, Vice President of CAMFEBA, and Ly Vichet, President of the Cambodian Federation of Workers' Fortunate and Vice Chair of the National OSH Commission, expressed support for the draft law and underscored the importance of collaboration in promoting workplace safety and health.
Presenting the ILO's technical comments on the draft law, jointly prepared by technical specialists at the ILO headquarters and in the field, Dr Yuka Ujita, ILO Senior OSH Specialist, noted: "Through multiple consultations, the draft has become remarkably advanced. It clearly states its principles, namely, risk-based, prevention-focused approach by creating safety and health culture and a tripartite mechanism."
The workshop was organized with support from the ILO-Japan project "Promoting a Safe and Healthy Working Environment in Thailand and Cambodia," funded by the Government of Japan.
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