Cambodia’s Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training recently stated that the export of textiles, garments, footwear, and travel luggage products produced in Cambodia is a key industry in the Cambodian economy and still ranks among Cambodia’s main export items. , with an average annual growth rate of about 10% in the past 10 years. Although Cambodia’s exports declined slightly in 2020 due to the epidemic, they have shown a good recovery in 2021. Exports increased significantly in the first 10 months, with total garment exports reaching US$6.538 billion, an annual increase of 6%, and footwear exports totaling US$1.113 billion, an annual increase of US$6.538 billion. 20%, and the total export volume of travel luggage was US$1.179 billion, an annual increase of 49%.
The Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia (GMAC) has operated over the past 25 years as a unified voice for investors in the textile industry, protecting and promoting the interests of all investors in the industry. legitimate rights and interests, and establish a forum to conduct consultations and social dialogue with all stakeholders on issues that may have a potential impact on the overall investment environment, with the aim of creating a favorable environment for export growth and sustainable development. The association works closely with various Cambodian ministries such as the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, the Ministry of Commerce, and the International Labor Organization.
GMAC has cooperated with the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training many times in the past to successfully implement the national employment policy, national technical and vocational education policy, national industrial development policy and national social protection policy structure and other important policies. GMAC is also actively involved in fulfilling the obligations stipulated in the Labor Law, the Trade Union Law and the Social Security Law, and provides services for those falling under the Labor Law, the Minimum Wage Law and other legal standards related to the field of employment.
When Cambodia began to adopt an economic opening strategy in 1993 and absorbed direct investment from outsiders, there were only a few factories and enterprises in textiles, clothing, footwear, travel luggage and other products. and workers. By 2021, the number of officially registered factories in these industries has increased to more than 1,200, providing employment for nearly 1 million workers. The total export value of this industry in 2021 is estimated at US$10 billion, accounting for approximately 63% of Cambodia’s total export value. With the attention of the Cambodian government, workers’ lives have gradually improved through continuous increases in the minimum wage.
From 1997 to 2021, the Cambodian government increased workers’ minimum wage more than four times, from US$40 in 1997 to US$194 in 2022. This year, including bonuses, seniority and other benefits, each worker can earn an average salary of US$211-222 per month. In addition to the nearly 1 million workers who benefit directly, more than 2 million people benefit indirectly from this sector.
The Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia (GMAC) recently voted to elect new chairman Oknha Kong Sang, whose term is from 2022 to 2023. Former chairman Oknha Van SouIeng has retired and is listed by the association. Honorary Chairman.
