Social Dialogue and Capacity Building for Strengthening Labour Disputes Prevention & Resolution Mechanisms in Cambodia

Background

Workers' organizations have noted that the dispute resolution process is lengthy, emotionally draining, and financially burdensome, particularly for workers earning minimum wages. During discussions for the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), constituents identified social dialogue and capacity building to strengthen national labour dispute resolution mechanisms among one of the key priorities, including enhancing the technical capacities of conciliators and arbitrators, and reinforcing the Arbitration Council as a credible, independent institution. 

Without improvements to dispute resolution systems, including mediation and collective bargaining, labour conflicts will continue to hinder productivity, economic growth, and workers' access to decent work. This project aims to support social dialogue to review Cambodia’s existing policies, institutional frameworks, and practices in labour dispute resolution, identify areas for reform, and build capacity to strengthen the system.

Key Focus Areas

The project aims to enhance the effectiveness of Cambodia's labour dispute resolution system, contributing to stable and collaborative labour relations and the promotion of decent work. 

Expected Impact

A key outcome of the project is to promote productive and stable labour relations through social dialogue and capacity building, guided by ILO standards and informed by Korea’s experience. The project will support tripartite and bipartite dialogue to review existing dispute resolution mechanisms, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen practices such as collective bargaining, workplace cooperation, and enterprise-level grievance mechanisms. Additionally, the project will enhance the capacity of conciliation, mediation, and arbitration processes to ensure more effective dispute resolution.

Inclusivity is central to the project, with a focus on integrating gender equality and disability inclusion in both participation and in addressing the specific challenges faced by women and persons with disabilities in the workplace and during dispute resolution processes. Through knowledge-sharing and application of international standards, the project aims to build a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable labour relations system in Cambodia.

Partners

Cambodia: Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MoLVT), workers and employers’ organizations and Arbitration Council (AC)

Korea Labor and Employment Services (KLES)

For further information, please contact:

Hochul Shin
Chief Technical Adviser - ILO/Korea Partnership Programme
Email: shin@ilo.org