The National Institute of Labour (NIL) of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT), in close collaboration with the International Labour Organization -Korea (ILO-Korea) has formally inaugurated a comprehensive four-day training initiative, dedicated to a shared commitment to fostering inclusive, constructive and sustainable mechanisms for workplace dispute resolution, an essential foundation to advancing decent work and nurturing industrial harmonisation in Cambodia.
This four-day interactive training took place from September 16 to 19, 2025, at the National Technical Training Institute (NTTI). It brought together 35 representatives from government, employers’ and workers’ organisations.
The programme was designed to build sustainable capacity among constituents for effective and participatory workplace dispute resolution through social dialogue, negotiations and collective bargaining, with long-term impacts on institutional performance and labour market stability.
Participants were equipped with insightful knowledge such as (1). approaches and key ILO principles to dispute prevention and resolution, (2). arbitrating labour disputes in Cambodia, and (3). essentials of grievance policy and development of grievance handling mechanisms at the enterprise level.
In addition, participants gain practical dispute settlement guidelines and tools and learn best practices as well as successful models in other countries, especially South Korea, regarding systems and arrangements for dispute resolution, enabling them to act effectively as conciliators/mediators within their organisations.
“Building the capacity of constituents to prevent and manage disputes constructively is essential for fostering better working environments, enhanced productivity, enterprise performance, and broader social stability. This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting Cambodia in creating functional and sustainable internal grievance mechanisms,” said His Excellency Som Chamnan, Secretary of State of the labour ministry.
The Korea-ILO Partnership Programme is a flagship multilateral initiative supporting the development of the labour sector across the Asia-Pacific region. By combining over 70 years of Korea’s experience in labour relations with the ILO’s international standards, the program helps protect workers’ rights, ensures stable business operations, and contributes to the creation of quality jobs.
“We hope that through this training, conflicts can be addressed through constructive dialogue rather than confrontation, that the voices of all social partners are respected, and that industrial relations contribute to national development and social justice in Cambodia,” said Mr. Hochul Shin, Chief Technical Advisor of the ILO/Korea Partnership Programme.
Importantly, this initiative aligns national labour practices with the strategic orientations of the Pentagonal Strategy Phase I and the Strategic Plan for the Development of Labour, Social Security, and Vocational Training 2024–2028, reflecting Cambodia’s commitment to building a robust and responsive industrial relations system in accordance with international labour standards.
Key partners in this initiative include the labour ministry, employers’ and workers’ organisations, and technical support from the ILO/Korea Partnership Programme. This programme represents a model for sector-wide capacity building and the longstanding collaboration between the MLVT and ILO/Korea Partnership Programme continues to serve as a cornerstone in strengthening labour dispute prevention and resolution mechanisms in Cambodia.
