Minimum wage, poverty reduction and human rights in Cambodia: a case study

Sophal Chea

Chapter 25 in Research Handbook on Human Rights and Poverty, 2026, pp 432-445 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter explores the development of minimum wage policies in Cambodia and their roles in reducing poverty, with a particular focus on the garment, footwear and travel goods (GFT) sectors. The chapter examines whether the minimum wage is contributing to anti-poverty reduction policies. Whether introducing the minimum wage in the GFT sectors helps alleviate poverty in Cambodia through the human rights-based approaches in policy design, programming and implementation. An examination of data from key government policies reveals that the poverty rates reduced from 47.8 per cent in 2007 to 16.6 per cent in 2022. The chapter will also look at the human rights dimension of minimum wage as one of the key fundamental rights embracing the right to work, fair remuneration and equal pay for work of equal value and a fair wage. The research methodology is based on a comprehensive literature review of relevant international legal frameworks and Cambodian regulations with the aim of assessing the extent to which minimum wage policies have contributed to poverty reduction and the promotion of labour rights and human rights.

Keywords: Minimum wage; Poverty reduction; Cambodian garment sector (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035350506
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