(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on unions to comply with labour laws to effectively resolve labour disputes involving workers and employees. He stated that the Royal Government has been committed to promoting the rights and freedoms of the informal economic associations in line with the labour law and international labour conventions that Cambodia has ratified.

The premier spoke on Sunday (Apr. 27) during the meeting with Leaders of Professional Organizations on the Occasion of the 139th Anniversary of 1st May International Labour Day.

Samdech Thipadei added that labour dispute resolution has also improved significantly, thanks to the growing maturity of stakeholders and the strengthening of the out-of-court dispute resolution strategy. In fact, in the first quarter of 2025, the ministry-level labour dispute resolution rate increased to 87 per cent, compared to 84 per cent during the same period in 2024.

Prime Minister Hun Manet also expressed his gratitude to all relevant parties, particularly the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training and the unions, for their efforts to work within the framework of the law and seek win-win solutions. He underlined that if demands go beyond what the law allows, solutions become impossible.

Regarding dispute resolutions between factory owners and workers, Prime Minister Hun Manet recalled a case in 2024 when a factory closed, prompting workers to protest and block the road. In accordance with legal procedures, it was necessary to sell the factory’s materials to compensate the workers. While the union within the factory and other stakeholders worked hard to manage the process smoothly, a third party, under the banner of an organization, intervened and incited the workers to demonstrate, leading to further protests and road blockages.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet underscored, “I urge all union representatives and associations to operate within a clear professional framework and comply with the laws we have enacted so that disputes can be properly resolved. If demands exceed what the law permits, resolution will not be possible, and it may even lead to falling into the trap of certain political groups, making the situation even more difficult to resolve.”

Samdech Thipadei further underlined that the Royal Government of Cambodia has consistently worked to address workers’ issues within the legal framework, ensuring that matters are handled swiftly, effectively, and without bias. This requires joint efforts from the Royal Government, unions, and associations.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also stressed that resolving disputes between workers and employers must be based on professionalism and should not be influenced by unrelated issues, as doing so would prevent effective resolution.

Prime Minister Hun Manet likened employers and employees to husband and wife, with the Royal Government serving as a guardian. He called on both parties to work together peacefully to promote the growth of the labour and investment sectors. He warned that if Cambodia is frequently associated with protests, it will discourage investors from doing business. On the other hand, if the labour sector remains peaceful, it will attract more investment.
=FRESH NEWS