The National Council on Minimum Wages today released a new monthly minimum wage of $190 for 2021 at today’s meeting after rounds of discussion.

Labour Minister Ith Samheng announced that after negotiations with unions, employers’ representatives and Labour Ministry officials, the National Council on Minimum Wages decided to keep the minimum wage at $190 per month due to the impact of the COVID-19 plaguing the textile, garment and footwear sector.

He said that Prime Minister Hun Sen topped up $2 to the figure.

“$192 is an official figure for 2021. We would like to thank all sides for understanding this. It is very difficult for the government because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Samheng said.

The government introduced a policy to increase the minimum wages for workers in the textile, garment and footwear sector every year since 1997 when the minimum wage was only $40 per month.

• Tags: footwear, garment, minimum wages, textile