Cambodia Moves to Strengthen Construction Worker Safety and Green Standards

Senior government officials, employers, workers’ representatives, and international partners gathered to review research conducted by the Korea Labour and Employment Service (KLES).

Cambodia has taken a significant step toward improving worker safety, environmental standards, and long-term reform in its construction sector, following a high-level policy workshop held on 4 March 2026 in Phnom Penh.

Senior government officials, employers, workers’ representatives, and international partners gathered to review research conducted by the Korea Labour and Employment Service (KLES). The meeting also endorsed an action plan aimed at aligning productivity, worker protection, and sustainability within the rapidly expanding construction industry.

Addressing Policy Gaps in a Growing Sector

The workshop, supported by the ILO-Korea Partnership Programme (ILO/KORP), brought together representatives from:

• The Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC)

• The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT)

• The International Labour Organization (ILO)

• The Korea Labour and Employment Service (KLES)

• Employer organisations and worker representatives

• International development partners

Participants examined findings from research that highlighted policy gaps, skills mismatches, and environmental challenges linked to Cambodia’s construction boom.

Officials emphasised that the meeting was intended as a strategic policy discussion rather than a routine technical consultation.

“Today’s workshop is not an ordinary technical consultation, but rather a sharp strategic discussion to connect the vision of the Royal Government’s strategy with the implementation of actual work on construction sites,” said Lao Tip Seyha, Secretary of State at the MLMUPC.

Challenges Facing Cambodia’s Construction Workforce

The construction sector has been a major driver of Cambodia’s economic growth over the past decade, creating jobs for hundreds of thousands of workers.

However, the industry faces several structural challenges, including:

• High occupational safety risks

• Limited social protection coverage

• Dependence on low-skilled and informal labour

• Increasing environmental pressures

Climate-related risks are also becoming more prominent. Extreme heat, flooding, and longer rainy seasons are making outdoor construction work increasingly dangerous.

At the same time, fluctuations in construction demand can create employment instability for workers.

Emphasis on a “Just Transition”

Officials stressed that future reforms must integrate environmental sustainability with worker protection.

“A just transition in the next few years is not only about the environmental agenda,” said Som Chamnan, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.

“Worker safety, skills upgrading and social protection must form part of the reform process.”

He noted that many construction workers are internal migrants or employed in vulnerable conditions, making stronger protections and skills development programmes especially important.

Partnership Approach to Reform

Shin Hochul, Chief Technical Advisor of the ILO-Korea Partnership Programme, emphasised that the proposed action plan is intended as a starting framework rather than a final blueprint.

“The decisions about what is needed and how to proceed are Cambodia’s to make – led by government, in partnership with employers and workers,” Shin said.

He also noted that translating policy commitments into sustained reforms can be challenging even in countries with stronger institutions.

Focus on Occupational Safety and Health

As an initial priority, the programme proposed strengthening occupational safety and health (OSH) standards in the construction sector.

Improving safety measures could deliver immediate benefits for workers while building momentum for broader reforms, including:

• Expanding social protection systems

• Strengthening skills development and training

• Improving social dialogue between workers, employers, and government

Officials said improved safety standards would have a direct impact on workers’ wellbeing and productivity.

Next Steps for Implementation

Implementation of the endorsed action plan will begin in April 2026, focusing first on reforms that align with Cambodia’s national priorities and institutional capacity.

Further consultations between government agencies and development partners are expected to define specific implementation steps and coordination mechanisms.

The initiative is part of the ILO-Korea Partnership Programme, funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea, which supports labour market reforms and decent work initiatives across several countries in the Asia-Pacific region.