Two ministries have announced the expansion of a pilot programme to improve the comfort and safety of vehicles transporting factory workers, as well as to improve the inspections of transport vehicles, in Kampong Chhnang province. It is the second province selected for the initiative, which aims to promote a transition from modified cargo trucks to vehicles with appropriate seating for transporting workers.
The launch of the Kampong Chhnang programme was celebrated at the Shinki Apparel (Cambodia) factory on January 20. It was chaired by Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Heng Sour and Minister of Public Works and Transport Peng Ponea.
The continuation of the programme was described as aligning with one of the seventh-mandate government’s priorities. The government has called for improvements to worker transportation to make it safer and more comfortable by the end of 2027.
Sour emphasised that both ministries have been and continue to work closely together to promote the conversion of cargo vehicles into passenger vehicles or their improvement with proper seating for worker transportation, enhancing comfort, safety and orderliness, along with stricter technical inspections.
Vehicles need to meet proper standards — such as having seats and adequate roofing to protect from heat and rain — and does not disadvantage any party, including drivers, workers or factory owners. This is because standing and overcrowded travel poses safety and health risks, which can reduce work productivity, he explained.
The minister expressed hope that factory owners, brand buyers and workers would all contribute support to ensure that every party benefits from these improvements.
At the same time, he called for continued public awareness and safety education for workers and drivers to comply with traffic laws, reminding drivers that they bear a high level of responsibility for the lives and safety of passengers. Reckless driving not only endangers oneself but can also cause tragedy and hardship for workers’ families, who often carry similar responsibilities, he added.
Ponea stated that the transport ministry will continue to expand cooperation with the labour ministry and other relevant institutions to reduce traffic accidents and congestion, improve worker transportation comfort and safety, and help reduce workers’ transportation costs.
Xiaoyan Qian, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) director for Thailand, Cambodia and the Laos, congratulated the pilot project. She reiterated that the ILO stands ready to support the Cambodian government in strengthening standards, improving implementation and expanding the project to other provinces, as it delivers significant benefits to all stakeholders — particularly in enhancing workers’ safety and health.
Provincial governor Sun Sovannarith noted that provincial authorities place strong emphasis on promoting worker comfort and safety. He reported that the province currently has 494 factories and enterprises employing 69,661 workers. A total of 3,308 vehicles and drivers transport workers across the province, serving a total of 136,660 passengers, including those who work outside the province.
The two ministries explained that a similar programme was launched in Svay Rieng Province in December 2025.
