The Sound of Silence: How weak unions keep Cambodia's labor laws dormant

This research paper discusses the lack of enforcement of labor law in manufacturing industries in Cambodia, particularly in the garment sector which employs over 800,000 workers and generates $12 billion annually in exports. This paper explains weak enforcement of Cambodia’s labor laws and argues that ineffective unionisation is the primary cause. Although the unionization rate in Cambodia’s garment industry is 60%, making it one of the highest in Southeast Asia, workers still face wage theft, unsafe conditions and underpaid employment. Ineffective unionization has not failed to advocate for workers rights and enforce existing laws resulting in minimal change to labor conditions in the factories. Through qualitative analysis of government reports, case studies and factory worker interviews, I contend that ineffective unionization in Cambodia stems primarily from informal employment, government-business relations, international market structure and government suppression of unionizations.