Country profile KHM
Context
Context
| Year | Age group | Proportion | Gender | Indicator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 5-17 | 10.8 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2012 | 5-17 | 12.2 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2012 | 5-17 | 11.5 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2012 | 5-17 | 11.5 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2012 | 5-17 | 13.8 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2012 | 5-17 | 12.6 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 1997-03-13 ; 2007-12-20 | C182 | Labour Law - Article 15 ; Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation - Article 10 | [{"link_name":"-Labour Law","source_link":"https://cdc.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/THE-LABOR-LAW-OF-CAMBODIA_970313-.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation","source_link":"https://wwwex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=93355"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | According to Article 15 of the Labour Law, all forms of forced or compulsory labour are strictly prohibited to any person. Article 10 of the Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation prohibits the sale and trafficking of minors for sexual and labour exploitation. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 1997-03-13 ; 2004-04-28 | C138 & C182 | Labour Law - Article 173 ; Prakas No. 106 on the Prohibition of Hazardous Child Labour of 28 April 2004 - Article 2 | [{"link_name":"-Labour Law","source_link":"https://cdc.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/THE-LABOR-LAW-OF-CAMBODIA_970313-.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Prakas No. 106 on the Prohibition of Hazardous Child Labour of 28 April 2004","source_link":"https://wwwex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=93363"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | According to Article 173 of the Labour Law "a Prakas of the Ministry in Charge of Labour shall determine the different types of work that are hazardous or too strenuous and that shall be prohibited to children aged less than 18 years. The Prakas on the prohibition of child labour, Article 2, lists the hazardous works that shall assume jeopardy to a child’s health, security, or morals." |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 1997-03-13; 2009-11-30 ; 2009-06-12 | C138 & C182 | Labour Law - Article 177(2) ; Criminal Code of 30 November 2009 - Articles 339 and 340 ; Law on Tourism - Articles 56 and 57 | [{"link_name":"-Labour Law","source_link":"https://cdc.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/THE-LABOR-LAW-OF-CAMBODIA_970313-.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Criminal Code of 30 November 2009","source_link":"https://sherloc.unodc.org/cld/uploads/res/document/khm/criminal_code_of_the_kingdom_of_cambodia_html/Cambodia_Criminal-Code-of-the-Kingdom-of-Cambodia-30-Nov-2009-Eng.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Law on Tourism","source_link":"https://cdc.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/LAW-ON-TOURISM_090610-.pdf"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | According to Article 177(2) of the Labour Law, the minimum allowable age for any kind of employment or work, which, by its nature, could be hazardous to the health, the safety, or the morality of an adolescent, is 18 years. Articles 339 and 340 of the Criminal Code state that subjecting a minor to working conditions harmful to his or her health or physical development is punishable by imprisonment from 2 to 5 years and a fine from 4 million to 10 million riels. If suc an offence results in the death of the minor, the punishment increases to imprisonment from 7 to 15 years. Articles 56 and 57 of the Law on Tourism stipulate that inors are prohibited from being present in the premises of an adult tourism entertainement centre. Furthermore, managers and licensees of such establishments are required to take reasonable measures to prevent the presence of minors, including inspecting the identification cards of young clients to ensure compliance with the law. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 1997-03-13 | C138 | Labour Law - Articles 51 to 64 | [{"link_name":"Labour Law","source_link":"https://cdc.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/THE-LABOR-LAW-OF-CAMBODIA_970313-.pdf"}] | No | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | While the Labour Law addresses apprenticeship in its Articles 51 to 64, it does not specify a minimum age for apprenticeship. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 2007 | C138 | Education Law - Article 31 | [{"link_name":"Education Law","source_link":"https://wwwex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/86097/KHM86097.pdf"}] | N/A | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | Under Article 31 "Right to access education" of Chapter VII of the Education Law, basic education in Cambodia is free but not compulsory: 'Every citizen has the right to access qualitative education of at least 9 years in public schools free of charge.' Education is not yet fully compulsory. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 1997-03-13 ; 01-08-2008 | C138 | Labour Law - 177(4) ; Prakas on Category of Occupation and Light Work Permitted for Children Aged from 12 to 15 - Articles 2, 3, 8 | [{"link_name":"-Labour Law","source_link":"https://cdc.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/THE-LABOR-LAW-OF-CAMBODIA_970313-.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Prakas\r\non\r\nCategory of Occupation and Light Work Permitted for\r\nChildren Aged from 12 to 15","source_link":"https://data.opendevelopmentcambodia.net/laws_record/prakas-no-002-on-categories-of-occupation-and-light-work-permitted-for-children-aged-from-12-to-15"}] | Yes | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | According to Article 177(4) of the Labour Law, children from 12 to 15 years of age can be hired to do light work provided that : a) The work is not hazardous to their health or mential and physical development. b) The work will not affect their regular school attendance, their participation in guidance programmes, or vocational training approved by a competent authority. In addition, Article 2 of the Prakas on Category of Occupation and Light Work Permitted for Children Aged from 12 to 15 specifies the types of light work permitted for children aged 12 to 15, while Articles 3 to 8 lay down the conditions, working hours, and circumstances under which such work may be performed. |
| Minimum age for light work | 1997-03-13 | C138 | Labour Law - Article 177(4) | [{"link_name":"Labour Law","source_link":"https://cdc.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/THE-LABOR-LAW-OF-CAMBODIA_970313-.pdf"}] | 12 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | According to Article 177(4) of the Labour Law, children from 12 to 15 years of age can be hired to do light work under certain conditions. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 1997-03-13 | C138 | Labour Law - Article 177(1) | [{"link_name":"Labour Law","source_link":"https://cdc.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/THE-LABOR-LAW-OF-CAMBODIA_970313-.pdf"}] | 15 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | According to Article 177(1) of the Labour Law, the “allowable minimum age for wage employment is set at 15 years.” |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2010-12-10 ; 2012-01-04 | C182 | Criminal Code of 30 November 2009 - Section 2 ; Law on Drug Control of 4 January 2012 - Articles 42, 43 and 44 | [{"link_name":"-Criminal Code of 30 November 2009","source_link":"https://sherloc.unodc.org/cld/uploads/res/document/khm/criminal_code_of_the_kingdom_of_cambodia_html/Cambodia_Criminal-Code-of-the-Kingdom-of-Cambodia-30-Nov-2009-Eng.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Law on Drug Control of 4 January 2012","source_link":"https://www.skpcambodia.com/storage/uploads/files/Criminal%20and%20Criminal%20Procedure%20Laws/%E1%9E%85%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%94%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%94%E1%9F%8B%E1%9E%9F%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%8F%E1%9E%B8%E1%9E%96%E1%9E%B8%E1%9E%80%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%8F%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%BD%E1%9E%8F%E1%9E%96%E1%9E%B7%E1%9E%93%E1%9E%B7%E1%9E%8F%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%99%E1%9E%82%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%BF%E1%9E%84%E1%9E%89%E1%9E%BF%E1%9E%932011.pdf"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Section 2 of the Criminal Code prohibits the inciting of minors to commit illegal or dangerous acts, notably the inciting of a minor to consume narcotics. The direct inciting of a minor to unlawfully and regularly consume large quantities of narcotics is punishable by imprisonment from 6 months to 2 years and by a fine from 1 million to 4 million riels. In addition, Articles 42, 43 and 44 of the Law on Drug Control states that the maximum punishment terms specified in these articles on the arranging of unlawful consumption of narcotic substances, the forcing or luring of other persons to unlawfully use narcotic substances and on the facilitation of unlawful consumption of narcotic substances, shall apply when a minor is involveed in the offence. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2007-12-20 | C182 | Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation - Articles 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 23, 24, 28, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43 | [{"link_name":"Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation","source_link":"https://wwwex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=93355"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Articles 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 23, 24, 28, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43 of the Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation prohibit the use, procuring, or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and/or for production of pornography. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 1997-09-15 ; 2006-12-22 | C182 | Law on General Statutes for the Military Personnel of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces - Articles 41, 42 ; Law on Military Obligation of 22 December 2006 - Article 2 | [{"link_name":"-Law on General Statutes for the Military Personnel of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces","source_link":"https://wwwex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/93508/KHM93508%20Eng.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Law on Military Obligation of 22 December 2006","source_link":"https://asset.cambodia.gov.kh/provincial/sites/6/2021/12/%E1%9E%85%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%94%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%94%E1%9F%8B%E1%9E%9F%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%8A%E1%9E%B8%E1%9E%96%E1%9E%B8_%E1%9E%80%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%8F%E1%9E%96%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%9C%E1%9E%80%E1%9E%B7%E1%9E%85%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%85%E1%9E%99%E1%9F%84%E1%9E%92%E1%9E%B6_%E1%9E%96%E1%9E%9B%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%8A%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%8B%E1%9E%A2%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%99%E1%9E%BB_%E1%9F%A1%E1%9F%A8%E1%9E%86%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%93%E1%9E%B6%E1%9F%86_%E1%9E%8A%E1%9E%9B%E1%9F%8B_%E1%9F%A3%E1%9F%A0%E1%9E%86%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%93%E1%9E%B6%E1%9F%86.pdf"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | Article 41 of the Law on General Statutes for the Military Personnel of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces states that contractual service military personnel are those who voluntarily join in the services under contracts with ranks as rank and files and non-commissioned officers in the Royal Khmer Armed Forces for a specified period and part or whole period during wartime. For its part, Article 42 specifies that may be recruited in services in term as contractual military personnel, those who have Khmer nationality, expect only in wartime, and turn fully to 18 years old. In addition, Article 2 of the Law on Military Obligation of 22 December 2006 states that every Cambodian citizen of both sexes aged between 18 and 30 must fulfill military service as so prescribed by this law. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 14-MAR-2006 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 23-AUG-1999 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The National Social Protection Policy Framework 2024-2035 has been developed to ensure social security, well-being, and a quality standard of living for the people of Cambodia. The framework focuses on strenghtening the social protection system to support vulnerable and at-risk populations. It also provides comprehensive social services, including food assistance, healthcare, education, and social support for target groups. In line with this, enhancing management capacity, providing training, and delivering services to target groups ensures that social protection services can be implemented effectively and sustainably. Promoting investment in communities and the private sector has further encouraged participation and sustainable development. | [{"link_name":"National Social Protection Policy Framework","source_link":"https://nspc.gov.kh/Images/National%20Social%20Protection%20Policy%20Framework%202024-2035_2025_02_20_15_45_55.pdf"}] | 2024-2035 | National Social Protection Policy Framework | Cambodian governement |
| The plan sets 6 strategic priority objectives in line with the model national response mechanism of the global action statement and the 7 response measures outlined in the statement by ASEAN Heads of State. These objectives include strenghtening the effectiveness of policy implementation and governance; promoting criminal justice; enhancing preventive measures, protection, and rehabilitation of the rights of victims of online sexual exploitation; strenghtening community safety against sexual abuse and exploitation of children online; improving standards for providing internet-based services; and increasing accurate awareness-raising and understanding of issues related to online sexual exploitation of children. The preventive and response activities outlined under each objective of the action plan are implemented by the responsible ministries and institutions. | [{"link_name":"Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Online Child Sexual Exploitation","source_link":"https://www.unicef.org/cambodia/press-releases/official-launch-national-action-plan-prevent-and-respond-online-child-sexual"}] | 2021-2025 | Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Online Child Sexual Exploitation | Cambodia National Council for Children (CNCC) |
| The Policy aims to provide safe and nutritious meals to students in order to promote growth and cognitive development, with a focus on enhancing future work productivity, gender equality and environmental sustainability. | [{"link_name":"-Policy on School Feeding - Source 1","source_link":"https://www.wfp.org/news/cambodia-koica-and-wfp-launch-initiative-boost-national-homegrown-school-feeding-programme"},{"link_name":"-Policy on School Feeding - Source 2","source_link":"https://www.facebook.com/moeys.gov.kh/posts/%E1%9E%82%E1%9F%84%E1%9E%9B%E1%9E%93%E1%9E%99%E1%9F%84%E1%9E%94%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%99%E1%9E%9F%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%8F%E1%9E%B8%E1%9E%96%E1%9E%B8%E1%9E%80%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%95%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%8F%E1%9E%9B%E1%9F%8B%E1%9E%A2%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%A0%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%8F%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%98%E1%9E%9F%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%9B%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%9A%E1%9F%80%E1%9E%93-%E1%9E%86%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%93%E1%9E%B6%E1%9F%86%E1%9F%A2%E1%9F%A0%E1%9F%A2%E1%9F%A4-%E1%9F%A2%E1%9F%A0%E1%9F%A3%E1%9F%A5%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%87%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%8A%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%8B%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%97%E1%9E%B7%E1%9E%94%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%9B-%E1%9E%8F%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%98%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%99%E1%9F%88%E1%9E%80%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%9F%E1%9E%BD%E1%9E%84%E1%9E%A2/922303869923037/"}] | 2024-2035 | Policy on School Feeding | Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport |
| The Policy was developed to enhance the effectiveness of the child protection system and ensure children's rights. It focuses on improving institutions and management systems, increasing multi-stakeholder participation, promoting awarness of children's rights and monitoring, evaluating and refining the policy. | [{"link_name":"National Policy On Child Protection System","source_link":"https://nepcambodia.org/document/royal-government-of-cambodia-national-policy-on-child-protection-system-2019-2029/"}] | 2019-2029 | National Policy On Child Protection System | Cambodian Government |
| The Cambodia National Council for Children (CNCC) has appointed a new mandate based on Decision No.57 on the Composition of the CNCC dated 22 March 2024 to lead and develop the National Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against Children 2025-2030, in coordination with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation. This mandates includes an inter-ministerial approach to ensure comprehensive collaboration across relevant government agencies, local authorities, civil society and development partners, strenghtening the national framework for child protection, improving response mechanisms and promoting the well-being and safety of all children in Cambodia. The National Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against Children 2025-2030 aims at strenghtening the national child protection system, preventing all forms of violence against children, ensuring timely and effective response services and promoting the overall well-being and rights of children across the country. | [{"link_name":"National Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against Children (2025-2030)","source_link":"https://www.unicef.org/cambodia/media/10496/file/NVAC%20Khmer%20version%20approved%20by%20Prime%20Minister.pdf.pdf"}] | 2025-2030 | National Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against Children (2025-2030) | Cambodia National Council for Children (CNCC) ; Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation |
| The NAP-WFCL has served as a roadmap to accelerate the eradication of all forms of child labour. Building on this progress, the launch of the Decent Work Country Programme 2024-2028 represents another significant achievement, ensuring the continued engagement of all stakeholders in advancing the elimination of child labour and promoting decent work for all. As a result of national efforts, the propotion of working children in Cambodia decreased from approximately 24% in 2021 to 12% in 2023 according to the National Institute of Statistics (2023). | [{"link_name":"NPA\u2013WFCL","source_link":"https://www.minimumwage.gov.kh/10557/"}] | 2016-2025 | National Plan of Action on the Reduction of Child Labour and Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour 2016–25 (NPA–WFCL) | National Committee for Countering Child Labour ; Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training |