Joint Statement on Living Wage for Cambodian Garment Workers

The Cambodian Institute of Development Study released a living wage survey for Cambodian garment workers during a conference on Social Dialogue on Decent Work at Cambodiana Hotel. Representatives of Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, garment manufacturers, international buyers and Cambodian labour unions also present in this meeting.

The garment industry has been the leading sector in the Cambodian economy, absorbing most of the migrant workers from rural areas, especially women. Over the past two decades, GDP has grown significantly.

However, the average incomes of garment workers have declined since 2004, from a real effective wage of $60 per month down to $48 per month in 2009. This has reduced the living standards of workers and their family members.

Living wage here refers to a wage that provides for a decent living for a worker and their dependents within regulated working hours (not including overtime) from one income source, and should allow for some savings.

The findings show that the average worker spends $72 per month, while their effective wage is $79 per month including overtime. Without overtime, workers earn only $67 per month on average. This means that without overtime, such as during economic downturns, a worker’s earning is not sufficient to cover their basic living expenses. It is therefore urgent to institutionalize a living wage that is not dependent on overtime (and hence the economic situation) to ensure that workers can earn enough for a decent living.

With respects to the prevailing economic crisis, the Cambodian unions, represented by the Living Wage Committee and stakeholders, work together to improve the wage, and request buyers, employers’ organization (GMAC) and manufacturers, Cambodian government and other stakeholders to:

- Actively engage in improving the gradually declining living standard of garment workers in Cambodia and find ways to raise the wage level to a living wage. Taking account of all necessary factors, $93 per month is viewed by unions as a humble request as  a living wage in Cambodia for all garment, textile and footwear workers;
- Accept this living wage principle. The living wage principle and figure should be the basis for wage negotiation in the near future.

The undersigned people are members of the Living Wage Committee and representative of key labour centers in Cambodia

National Union Alliance Chamber of Cambodia: Som Aun, President
Cambodian Labour Confederation: Ath Thorn, President
Cambodia National Labour Confedertion: Morm Nhim, President
Cambodian Confederation Trade Union: Vong Sovann, President