Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour has announced that the minimum monthly wage for workers in the garment, footwear, and travel goods sectors will increase to $210 in 2026.
In a statement issued on September 17, the ministry said the figure marks a $2 increase from the current minimum wage of $208. However, probationary workers will continue to earn $208 until they become full employees, when they will then be entitled to the $210 rate.
For employees paid by piece rate, the ministry explained that if their production falls short of the minimum, employers must top up their wages to reach $208 for probationary staff or $210 for full employees.
The ministry confirmed that all other benefits remain unchanged and that the new wage level will take effect from January 1, 2026.
According to ministry reports, the wage-setting process for 2026 involved 23 rounds of negotiations. The final figure was reached after Prime Minister Hun Manet added an extra two dollars to the agreed amount, bringing the total to $210. With benefits included, monthly earnings for workers are expected to range between $227 and $238.
But labour rights advocates say the increase still falls short of meeting the cost of living. Khun Tharo, a programme manager at the Centre for Alliance of Labour and Human Rights, wrote on Facebook that wages of just over $230 a month remain far too low compared with workers’ actual expenses.
He warned that the gap between wages and living costs continues to push workers deeper into debt and poverty, forcing them to cut back on food, healthcare, and education.
