Cambodia’s Wage Council Opens 2026 Minimum Wage Talks

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Aug. 20, 2025) — Labor Minister Heng Sour convened the first meeting of the National Minimum Wage Council’s fourth mandate on Tuesday to begin discussions on the 2026 minimum wage for workers in Cambodia’s garment, footwear, travel goods, and bag manufacturing sectors.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training headquarters, brought together all 51 council members, equally representing the government, workers, and employers.

Following robust debate among the tripartite members, the council reached several key decisions:

• Officially announced the composition of council members and deputy chairs for the 2025–2026 term.
• Approved seven core social and economic indicators to guide wage negotiations, including inflation, cost of living, productivity, competitiveness, and sectoral profitability.
• Agreed that each party would use the presented data internally to develop unified positions ahead of future sessions.
• Scheduled four additional meetings on Sept. 3, 10, 15, and 19, aiming to finalize the wage decision before the Pchum Ben holiday.

The council’s deliberations mark the start of Cambodia’s annual wage-setting process for its largest industrial labor force.

The tripartite council—comprising representatives from the government, workers, and employers—agreed to hold four additional meetings on Sept. 3, 10, 15, and 19, with the goal of reaching a final decision before the Pchum Ben holiday.

The Aug. 20 session marked the start of formal discussions on the 2026 wage rate, which will apply to Cambodia’s largest industrial labor force.

Sam Soeun, President of the National Trade Union Council, said he expects constructive dialogue among all parties involved, including employers, unions, and the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training.

“I hope this year’s wage talks will be smooth, with the government playing a thoughtful and balanced role,” Soeun said. “Both employers and unions have matured in their professional engagement, which will help ensure better outcomes.”

In 2025, the government raised the minimum wage to $208 per month. With additional benefits, workers currently earn between $225 and $236 monthly, excluding contributions from Cambodia’s National Social Security Fund.