The Prime Minister of Cambodia will make the final decision regarding the Cambodia minimum wage decision for workers in the garment, textile, and footwear sectors for 2026, amid ongoing global uncertainties.
This announcement follows a consensus reached between representatives of workers and employers, who have expressed that they cannot provide a specific wage figure at this time. A statement from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training indicates that the National Minimum Wage Council held its concluding meeting on September 10.
According to the ministry, “Based on the potential impacts of the imposition of U.S. reciprocal tariffs and the current labour market conditions, the representatives of both workers and employers have unanimously agreed not to propose any specific wage figure. They will leave it to the government to make a decision, based on Cambodia’s competitiveness and the country’s social and economic conditions.”
In light of this, the representatives will present three recommendations for the Prime Minister’s review.
Throughout this process, a total of 21 meetings occurred to address the minimum wage issue. This includes three tripartite meetings that involved workers, employers, and government officials, as well as three bilateral meetings conducted between workers and employers. Additionally, seven internal meetings were held among worker representatives, while five took place among employer representatives.
All involved parties have confirmed that the meeting on September 10 symbolizes their final official positions on the matter.
The ministry has also announced that a concluding tripartite meeting is scheduled for September 17 to finalize the required formalities as per the minimum wage legislation.
In response to the government’s decision-making approach, economist Lor Vichet remarked that it is a prudent strategy given the current global economic climate. He noted that the decision will take into account several factors, such as the international and political landscape, import and export rates, labour productivity, competitive positioning in global markets, and particularly, Cambodia’s ability to attract foreign direct investment.
As the Cambodia minimum wage decision for workers unfolds, the current minimum wage stands at $208 per month, an increase from $204 the previous year. Many workers also supplement their income through overtime and longevity bonuses.
