Phnom Penh:Cambodia's minimum wage for workers in the garment, footwear, and travel goods sectors will rise to US$212 per month in 2027. This decision follows Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet's addition of US$2 to the figure initially agreed upon by the National Council for Minimum Wage.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the National Council for Minimum Wage concluded its final meeting on September 30 to set the minimum wage for 2027. The council considered two proposals: US$210 from employers and US$225 from trade unions. Ultimately, the US$210 proposal received 47 out of 51 votes.

Prime Minister Hun Manet then decided to boost the agreed figure by US$2, setting the official minimum wage at US$212 per month. This adjustment aims to improve the livelihoods of workers and employees in these sectors.

The new wage will be implemented starting January 1, 2027. In addition to the basic wage, workers can earn between US$229 and US$240 per month through various allowances and benefits, such as regular attendance, transport, accommodation, and seniority bonuses.

Cambodia's garment, footwear, and travel goods industry is the country's largest foreign exchange earner and employs nearly one million workers, most of whom are women. The Royal Government has consistently increased the minimum wage annually, with the salary set at US$210 in 2026 and US$208 in 2025, among other previous increments.