Launch of the collaboration IF Metall, ILO and SIDA in Cambodia
Cambodia has extensive experience in industrial relations and collective bargaining, but needs further support to take advantage of it. Our unique program in collaboration with ILO International Labour Organisation (a UN agency), the Swedish International Agency for Development (SIDA) and the Swedish trade union IF Metall in Cambodia, is officially launched.
The program aims is to increase the number of collective bargaining agreements by educating workers, trade unions as well as employers on the importance of solution-oriented, negotiations in good faith. We hope that the project can help to support greater stability on the market in Cambodia.
On June 12, a signing of a national memorandum in Phonm Phen took place where The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MOLVT), ILO Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR (ILO , the Swedish Embassy in Cambodia, H&M and IF Metall, the Swedish trade union federation were present. Immediately after the signing, the program’s first board meeting took place.
In March the program started with an orientation workshop with, employers (suppliers), unions, ILO and H&M. This was the first time that employers and unions sat in the same room for months, due to the unrest in the country and was seen as very positive by both employers and unions. Currently a baseline study is conducted at the participating factories (H & M suppliers) that will serve as a base to customize training for these factories. The training will start in September 2014.