Cambodian workers and employers help shape new occupational safety and health law

Phnom Penh (ILO news) — The International Labour Organization (ILO) is supporting Cambodian workers’ and employers’ organizations, helping them play a full and active role in the drafting of a new Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) law.

Capacity-building events organized in February and March 2025 saw 34 Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) focal persons from 28 employers’ and workers’ organizations learn about OSH legal frameworks. They also worked to identify gaps in existing legislation that should be addressed to meet International Labour Standards.

“The Royal Government of Cambodia is reforming its OSH legislation and is in the process of drafting a comprehensive prevention-based OSH law. For the success of any policy and legislative initiative, engagement of government bodies, workers’ and employers’ organisations as well as other relevant stakeholders is critical at all stages,” said Dr Yuka Ujita, ILO Senior OSH Specialist.

“This inclusive engagement will lead to stronger, more widely supported legislation that is easier to implement effectively,” she added.

The participants in the workshops actively engaged in the training and reported that it was valuable for them to share their views and concerns as well as provide proposals to the draft OSH law currently being prepared by the Government.

“We were able to prioritize the elements of the national OSH system to be addressed,” said Ly Vichet, President of Cambodia Confederation of Workers.

The comments were echoed by Mam Sotharin, an employer participant who said, “We were equipped with basic knowledge on OSH and the ILO fundamental Conventions, which stipulate the rights and responsibilities of employers and workers.”

The next step in the legislative process will be a consultation between the government, employers’ and workers’ organisations on the draft Law. This is expected to take place later in 2025.

ILO is providing support to this process at the request of the Government of Cambodia through its “Promoting a Safe and Healthy Working Environment for Thailand and Cambodia” initiative, which is funded by the Government of Japan.