AKP Phnom Penh, September 30, 2026 --

Cambodia’s minimum wage for workers and employees in the garment, footwear and travel goods and bags sectors will rise to US$212 per month in 2027, following a decision by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet to add US$2 to the figure agreed upon by the National Council for Minimum Wage.

The National Council for Minimum Wage held its final meeting on Sept. 30 to discuss and determine the minimum wage for workers in the garment, footwear and related sectors for 2027.

According to H.E. Sun Mesa, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, two figures were put to a vote, with the employer side proposing US$210 and the trade union side proposing US$225.

Following the tripartite negotiations and vote, the US$210 figure received 47 of the 51 votes, making it the agreed minimum wage figure for 2027 before the Prime Minister’s additional decision.

Taking into account the livelihoods of workers and employees, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet decided to add US$2 to the negotiated figure, bringing the official minimum wage to US$212 per month.

The new minimum wage will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. In addition to the basic monthly wage, workers are entitled to various allowances and benefits – including regular attendance, transport, accommodation, and seniority bonuses – allowing them to earn between US$229 and US$240 per month.

The garment, footwear and travel goods industry remains Cambodia’s largest foreign exchange earner, employing nearly one million workers, the majority of whom are women.

The Royal Government has maintained a policy of increasing the minimum wage for workers and employees in the garment, footwear and travel goods sectors annually. The minimum wage was US$210 in 2026, compared with US$208 in 2025, US$204 in 2024, US$200 in 2023, US$194 in 2022, US$192 in 2021, US$190 in 2020, US$182 in 2019 and US$170 in 2018.

By C. Nika