UN and Labour Ministry pledge closer ties on youth skills and worker welfare

Labour and Vocational Training Minister Heng Sour met with the newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator Vladanka Andreeva yesterday to solidify a joint strategy for workforce development and social security.In a courtesy call held in the capital, Sour praised the “significant and commendable” results of the long-standing partnership between the Ministry and the United Nations. He emphasised that the next phase of cooperation must prioritise high-productivity skills through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and dedicated youth employment programmes.

During the talks, Sour outlined the government’s recent initiatives to bolster the labour market, including:

• Wage and Welfare: Improvements to working conditions and the setting of national minimum wages.

• Social Safety Nets: The expansion of social security benefits for the domestic workforce.

• Reintegration: Targeted job opportunities for Cambodian workers returning from Thailand, facilitated through nationwide employment forums.

“The Ministry is ready to strengthen this partnership to ensure our workforce achieves the efficiency and effectiveness required for Cambodia’s sustainable economic goals,” Sour said.

Andreeva, beginning her mandate in the Kingdom, lauded the Ministry’s vision and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to a “well-coordinated and swift” approach to development. She noted that the partnership remains essential for building an inclusive and resilient future, aligning with Cambodia’s long-term economic roadmap.

Both parties expressed confidence that the upcoming collaborative cycle will be a cornerstone in achieving the country’s Sustainable Development Goals. AKP