[Cambodia] Labour laws and compliance

Over the past few years, there have been significant changes made to labour laws in Cambodia. The changes reflect the country’s intention to better protect women and employees of all ages, castes, and religions. Cambodia has been promoting equal pay, equality of opportunities and professions and paid leave for workers since 2020. Global People Strategist offers key information about some of the country’s labour laws.

Equal pay

The Cambodian Constitution makes equal pay for equal work a necessity and does not allow organisations to discriminate against women. In Cambodia, the work performed by housewives at home is of the same value as the work performed by women in the workplace. In Cambodia, no one may discriminate on the basis of sex, age, origin or caste. Workers with the same job, professional skills and output may not be discriminated against.

Equal opportunities and professions

In Cambodia, there are no restrictions on the type of jobs women are permitted to do. Women are entitled to the same opportunities and professions as their male counterparts. Both genders are encouraged to take part in the political, economic, social, and cultural life in Cambodia. The grant of the State allows both genders to choose jobs based on their capabilities, abilities, intelligence and the needs of Cambodian society. It remains open to the suggestions of citizens.

Overtime pay

In Cambodia, the average employee works for 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week. Overtime work is allowed as long as the total working hours do not exceed 10 hours per day, excepting extraordinary circumstances.

In Cambodia, employees can adjust working hours meaning employees can take Saturday afternoons and Sundays off from work. However, working hours per day cannot exceed 9 hours. In the case of urgent work, overtime is allowed but the employee must be compensated sufficiently. Moreover, if the employee does not want to do overtime work employers cannot enforce overtime. 

In a case where overtime work needs to be assigned, special permission must be granted by the Ministry of Labor. Overtime pay must be at least 150 per cent of the usual wage employee receives. For those working a night shift, the rate rises to 200 per cent.

Rest days per week

Every week, employees must be given 24 hours of rest. According to Cambodian labour law, no employee can work on a Sunday. However, if employees are needed to complete work, rest days can be given on a rotational basis with special permission from the Ministry of Labor. 

Guards, caretakers and drivers who required to work on Sundays by their employers must be given compensatory time off during the week. In retail stores, employees are given weekly rest days on a rotational basis. The Labor Inspector can cancel a weekly rest day allowance if it falls too close to a public holiday. However, the worker will be given compensatory time off during the week.

Over the past few years, there have been significant changes made to labour laws in Cambodia. The changes reflect the country’s intention to better protect women and employees of all ages, castes, and religions. Cambodia has been promoting equal pay, equality of opportunities and professions and paid leave for workers since 2020. Global People Strategist offers key information about some of the country’s labour laws.

Equal pay

The Cambodian Constitution makes equal pay for equal work a necessity and does not allow organisations to discriminate against women. In Cambodia, the work performed by housewives at home is of the same value as the work performed by women in the workplace. In Cambodia, no one may discriminate on the basis of sex, age, origin or caste. Workers with the same job, professional skills and output may not be discriminated against.

Equal opportunities and professions

In Cambodia, there are no restrictions on the type of jobs women are permitted to do. Women are entitled to the same opportunities and professions as their male counterparts. Both genders are encouraged to take part in the political, economic, social, and cultural life in Cambodia. The grant of the State allows both genders to choose jobs based on their capabilities, abilities, intelligence and the needs of Cambodian society. It remains open to the suggestions of citizens.

Overtime pay

In Cambodia, the average employee works for 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week. Overtime work is allowed as long as the total working hours do not exceed 10 hours per day, excepting extraordinary circumstances.

In Cambodia, employees can adjust working hours meaning employees can take Saturday afternoons and Sundays off from work. However, working hours per day cannot exceed 9 hours. In the case of urgent work, overtime is allowed but the employee must be compensated sufficiently. Moreover, if the employee does not want to do overtime work employers cannot enforce overtime. 

In a case where overtime work needs to be assigned, special permission must be granted by the Ministry of Labor. Overtime pay must be at least 150 per cent of the usual wage employee receives. For those working a night shift, the rate rises to 200 per cent.

Rest days per week

Every week, employees must be given 24 hours of rest. According to Cambodian labour law, no employee can work on a Sunday. However, if employees are needed to complete work, rest days can be given on a rotational basis with special permission from the Ministry of Labor. 

Guards, caretakers and drivers who required to work on Sundays by their employers must be given compensatory time off during the week. In retail stores, employees are given weekly rest days on a rotational basis. The Labor Inspector can cancel a weekly rest day allowance if it falls too close to a public holiday. However, the worker will be given compensatory time off during the week.