Basic wages for garment workers in Cambodia are at least US$

According to reports, although Cambodia’s garment industry is facing challenges due to rising wages, strikes and other reasons, according to official statistics, exports in the first quarter of 2015 still maintained a growth trend. According to the statistical report of the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce, clothing exports in the first quarter of this year (January to March) were US$1.73 billion, an increase of 11% compared with the same period in 2014. Clothing products are Cambodia’s main export products, accounting for 80% of the country’s total export products. Its main markets are Europe, the United States, China, South Korea, Japan, etc.
According to the export statistics in the first quarter, exports to the EU reached US$680 million, an increase of 16%; exports to the United States reached US$537 million, a decrease of 1%; exports to other countries reached US$521 million, an increase of 21%. The deputy secretary-general of the Cambodian Garment Manufacturers Association said that after the strike ended, the factory’s production capacity was restored, which led to the growth and development of exports. According to data from the Cambodian Ministry of Labor, there are 1,087 garment and shoe factories in Cambodia, employing about 700,000 employees.
In order to solve the strike problem, the government has repeatedly decided to raise workers’ basic wages. The current wage level increased from US$100 in 2014 to US$128 in 2015. Including other subsidies, workers can receive a monthly salary of US$147 to US$156. . The government has decided that by 2018, workers’ basic salary will be at least US$160.