PHNOM PENH: Garment workers have expressed joy and gratitude to the Royal Government of Cambodia for the annual increase in their minimum wages. Beginning in 2026, workers will receive an additional US$2, raising the monthly minimum wage to US$210.
On Sept. 17, the National Council for Minimum Wage convened its final meeting to review and determine the 2026 minimum wage for workers in the garment, footwear, and travel goods sectors.
Over the course of 23 meetings, workers’ and employers’ representatives discussed the impacts of U.S. tariffs, Cambodia’s competitiveness compared to other countries, and the overall labour market outlook for 2025 and 2026. While employer representatives proposed maintaining the current wage, worker representatives did not object.
Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet decided to add US$2 to the US$208 figure, setting the 2026 minimum wage at US$210.
Workers such as Mr. Nov Rany and Mr. Sim Chenda from Prey Veng province, and Mr. Him Yan from Takeo province, expressed their appreciation for the government’s continued attention to workers’ livelihoods and its coordination in ensuring annual wage increases.
The new minimum wage will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. In addition to wages, garment, footwear, and travel goods workers are entitled to various benefits—including regular attendance, transport, rent, and seniority bonuses—allowing them to earn between US$227 and US$238 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.
For 2025, the minimum wage was set at US$208, an increase of US$4 from 2024. The Royal Government has maintained a consistent policy of raising the minimum wage annually to improve the well-being of workers.