Background
On 27 February 2026, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) held a two-day meeting to review the 2025 work results and set directives for 2026 at the National Technical Training Institute. Minister Heng Sour emphasized the Ministry’s ongoing focus on labour market development, social security, and vocational training amidst domestic and external challenges, including border issues.
Scope of Application
The directives apply to all sectors under the MLVT’s jurisdiction, affecting labour market policies, workforce reintegration, vocational training institutions, social security frameworks, and related government agencies. Special focus is given to employment opportunities for returning migrant workers from Thailand and vulnerable segments of the workforce.
Key Provisions or Decisions
- Identification of 19 key work directions to accelerate development in employment, social security, and vocational training for 2026.
- Recognition of approximately 80,000 available jobs intended primarily for citizens, especially returning migrant workers.
- Effective management of returning migrant workers, with approximately 950,000 repatriated in 2025, and integration of these workers into productive national labour forces.
- Employment of about 310,000 returning workers in formal enterprises and factories and another 310,000 in informal sectors by the end of 2025.
- Maintenance of minimum wages and improved working conditions, especially in the garment, footwear, and travel goods manufacturing sectors, complying with labour law requirements regarding occupational safety, health, and legal conformity.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The 2026 labour policy directions encourage businesses to engage with governmental priorities on workforce quality and social security standards, including compliance with wage minimums and occupational safety. The integration of returning migrant workers into the formal labour market presents opportunities for sustained investment in labour-intensive industries. Employers should anticipate continued government oversight to ensure compliance with improved working conditions and support for workforce resilience.
Official Source
Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) Facebook post, 27 February 2026: https://www.facebook.com/mlvt.gov.kh/posts/pfbid02tb6fJWMvLmBgCoidQ2wby4P1cCCBgRaYwGyXLPnxUg3EX1fmpgxLUJonwUYBkxkkl
