Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Cambodia (Ratification: 1971)

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of an active employment policy. Consultations with the social partners. The Committee notes that in order to implement the National Employment Policy 2015–2025 (NEP), the Inter-Ministerial Committee adopted a three-year Action Plan 2017–19, developed in consultation with the social partners. The Government indicates that the secretariat of the NEP has been drafting a report on progress made in implementing the NEP by 2017. Once completed, the report will be reviewed by the social partners. The Government adds that one of the challenges identified with regard to the implementation of the NEP is insufficient reporting of NEP achievements at national and local levels, due to limited capacity among the designated officials and the limited budgetary resources available for the implementation of NEP-related activities. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there is a need to build capacity to support the successful implementation of the NEP. On the other hand, the Committee notes the new Decent Work Country Programme 2019–23 (DWCP) for Cambodia, which aims to contribute to the achievement of Cambodia’s national development objectives by 2030 and will support implementation of the Rectangular Strategy IV, the National Strategic Development Plan 2019–2023 and the Cambodian Sustainable Development Goals. The DWCP focuses on: promoting employment and sustainable enterprise development; strengthening and expanding social protection, including occupational safety and health; and improving industrial relations and rights at work. It also aims to ensure access to sustainable, decent and productive work for all in the context of an increasingly formalized and inclusive labour market and enhanced social dialogue. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the nature and impact of the measures adopted within the framework of the NEP 2015–2025 and on progress in its implementation, as well as on other active labour market measures adopted with the objective of creating opportunities for decent, productive and sustainable employment. The Government is requested to communicate a copy of the report of the NEP secretariat once it is available. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which groups affected by those measures are involved in the process of their development and implementation. Moreover, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the steps taken to build the requisite capacity and allocate the budgetary resources necessary to ensure the successful implementation of the NEP. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the development, implementation and impact of specific measures undertaken within the framework of the Decent Work Country Programme 2019–23, including with regard to the participation of the social partners in the development and implementation of such measures.

Article 2. Labour market statistics and information. The Committee notes the brief response provided by the Government to its previous request concerning labour market trends. According to the statistics provided in relation to labour force participation in Cambodia in 2016, the Committee notes significantly lower employment rates among persons over the age of 44. The Committee also notes that women in all age categories experience lower employment rates than men. Moreover, the Committee notes that, according to the 2018 World Bank report and the DWCP 2019–23, women are under-represented at the managerial and technical levels in comparison to their male counterparts, due to lower rates of completion of primary school education. The Committee requests the Government to provide up-to-date information, including statistical data disaggregated by sex and age, on employment trends, including on employment, unemployment and visible underemployment in Cambodia. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to promote employment opportunities for older workers and women in all age categories.

Education and training policies. The Government indicates that the National Training Board (NTB) is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy 2017–2025. The NTB coordination mechanism, chaired by the Ministry of Labour, is mandated to ensure the coordination of education and training policies with the national employment policy, and engages national ministries and institutions, the private sector and the social partners. The Government indicates that the NTB also develops national TVET policies and strategies, tailoring TVET to the needs of the national economy and ensuring effective links to workplaces and training institutes. Noting that the Government has not provided any updated statistical data on the impact of the measures adopted under the TVET Policy 2017–2025, the Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide the data requested, disaggregated by sex, age and type of training. The Committee further requests the Government to provide detailed information on the manner in which the National Training Board coordinates technical education and vocational training policies the with employment policy and on the role of the social partners in the consultation process.

Youth employment. The Committee notes that, in 2017, the Government conducted a skills demand analysis in relation to higher-education graduates in Cambodia, as part of the Higher Education Quality and Capacity Improvement Project (HEQCIP). The findings of the analysis indicate that 52 per cent of students are concentrated in 5 per cent of all bachelor programmes offered by Higher Education Institutions (HEI), in courses such as general management, banking and finance. The Committee notes that new programmes, which more accurately respond to the needs of the labour market, attract only a marginal number of students, making up only 2 per cent of total enrolments. While the majority of HEIs have adopted skills supply adjustment practices, including through involving relevant external stakeholders, training programmes related to sectors that are primary drivers of economic growth continue to be in lower demand. The Committee also notes that the demand for skills on the Cambodian labour market continues to increase at a pace that is 10–20 per cent faster than the supply of skills. According to the 2018 World Bank report previously mentioned, Cambodia is currently facing one of the most significant skills shortages in the region. The Committee notes that the Government has not provided any updated information on the United for Youth Employment in Cambodia programme. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the United for Youth Employment in Cambodia programme, as well as on other employment measures adopted or envisaged to promote decent, productive and lasting employment for young women and men and reduce inequalities in the labour market. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to address current skills shortages and ensure that the Cambodian labour force is equipped with skills which meet the current needs of the labour market.

Regional and rural development. In its 2017 comments, the Committee noted that the Cambodia–Laos–Viet Nam Development Triangle Area (CLV–DTA) would remain under review until 2020. The Government reports that the term of the CLV–DTA has been extended to 2030. The Government further indicates that, as decided by the CLV leaders, the development of the Project for Economic Connectivity for Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam will be undertaken by the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC). On the other hand, the Government indicates that the Action Plan for Economic Connectivity (APEC) was adopted in March 2018 by Viet Nam and calls for the establishment of a Tripartite Coordination Committee (TCC) mandated to develop a detailed action plan in collaboration with ministries, agencies and local bodies from Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam. The key activities of the APEC include strengthening cooperation in vocational training and higher education, with a focus on professions committed to mobility in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), exchange of labour market information between the CLV countries, encouraging investment in education and training, and improving teacher qualifications. The Government indicates that, under the CLV framework, it is developing a project aimed at supporting vocational education and training for students from Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam to study in Viet Nam. It adds that Cambodian teachers and students are being trained in Viet Nam through a cooperation between a TVET institution in Ratanakiri and Viet Nam’s Vocational and Technical Schools. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated, detailed information on the nature and impact of the activities of the Tripartite Coordination Committee and the Joint Coordination Committee, as well as on the impact of measures taken under the APEC, particularly with regard to regional cooperation in vocational training and higher education. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information on the progress and impact of the project aimed at supporting vocational education and training for students from Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam to study in Viet Nam.