OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN CAMBODIA

WORK SAFETY IN CAMBODIA: A Comprehensive Perspective on Safety and Health at Work

Occupational safety is a global concern that aims to protect the health and well-being of workers in all sectors of the economy.

In Cambodia, a rapidly developing Southeast Asian country, occupational safety is emerging as a crucial area of focus as the country seeks to strengthen its labor practices and ensure safe and healthy working environments for its growing workforce.

In this article, we explore the beginnings, structuring and application of occupational safety in the Cambodian context, including ongoing challenges and initiatives.

HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY IN THE COUNTRY

Cambodia, after decades of conflict and political instability, is in a period of reconstruction and development. However, economic progress often comes at the expense of workers' safety and well-being.

The country's history shows a significant gap in the application of occupational safety regulations and standards.

From the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, there was a growing awareness of the importance of occupational safety, driven by serious incidents and increased pressure from international organizations and civil society.

Efforts have been made to develop and implement more robust safety regulations and measures.

MODEL REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY

Cambodia has a regulatory framework for occupational safety, consisting mainly of the 1997 Law on Occupational Safety and Health and its subsequent amendments.

However, the effective implementation of these laws often faces challenges due to a lack of resources, limited institutional capacity and corruption.

The Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training is the main body responsible for overseeing and enforcing occupational safety regulations in the country.

However, enforcement is still inconsistent in many areas, especially in informal and low-income sectors, where workers are more vulnerable to precarious working conditions and exploitation.

THE APPLICABILITY OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY IN COMPANIES

On a day-to-day basis, the application of occupational safety standards in Cambodia varies considerably according to the sector and type of employment.

In formal industries such as textiles and manufacturing, where companies often export to international markets, there is greater pressure to comply with international safety standards and working conditions.

However, in informal sectors, agriculture and construction, workers often face dangerous conditions, long working hours and low wages, with little legal protection or government support.

This results in high rates of occupational accidents, occupational diseases and labor exploitation, especially among vulnerable groups such as migrants and women.

CHALLENGES AND FUTURE VISION FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY IN THE COUNTRY

Despite the progress made, Cambodia still faces a number of challenges in the area of occupational safety.

These include the need to strengthen the enforcement of existing laws, improve the capacity of regulatory bodies, increase workers' awareness of their rights and ensure the inclusion of all workers, regardless of sector or job.

Future initiatives could include strengthening social dialogue between government, employers and workers, promoting a culture of accident and occupational disease prevention, training labor inspectors and improving access to justice and compensation for injured workers.

Work safety in Cambodia is an evolving area, reflecting the challenges and opportunities of a developing country. While significant progress has been made, there is still much to be done to ensure safe and healthy working environments for all workers.

With continued commitment from the government, employers, workers and international partners, Cambodia can move forward in protecting the rights and well-being of its workforce, contributing to sustainable and inclusive development.