Minimum wage for garment, and footwear sectors rises to $190 in 2020

The minimum wage for workers in the textile, garment, and footwear industries has increased to $190 in the year 2020, according to the Ministry of Labour.

In an announcement released after a trilateral meeting today, the Labour Ministry said the National Committee for Minimum Wage has determined $187 as the minimum wage, while Prime Minister Hun Sen has decided to add $3 more.

The ministry said besides the monthly minimum wage, workers will still receive other fringe benefits including an extra 10 U.S. dollars per month for regular attendance and an extra seven U.S. dollars per month for transportation and rent.

The ministry said the new wage will be effective from the first of January 2020.

Labour Minister Ith Samheng said that while Cambodia offers a minimum wage of about USD 190, Vietnam only offers USD 120 in some regions and only $110 in Indonesia and Laos.

“As long as we discuss and figure out a joint result like this. I’m sure that our country will keep developing and people will enjoy all the prosperity in the Kingdom,” he said.

Nang Sothy, who represented employers during negotiations, told reporters that the new minimum wage was acceptable, but he appealed to the government to address better ways for productivity.

“I accepted the result because it’s the rule we agreed on,” he said. “For some other requests, unions and employers will discuss with the government later. We also urge the government to make it more convenient for employers

Pav Sina, the president of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers, said he welcomes the result and hopes that the ministry will consider the additional 13 requests, which unions have made to improve working conditions.

The government has increased the minimum wage for garment workers every year since 2014. The 2019 minimum wage was set at $182 a month, an increase of $12 when compared to last year’s $170.Source from (khmertimekh.com)