Economically, Cambodia maintained a GDP growth rate of 5.6%, driven by exports, tourism, and construction. However, inflation (3.2%) and low wages—especially in the garment sector—kept many workers in financial precarity, with 73% of them needing loans for basic needs. The minimum wage was raised to $204/month, but gender pay gaps and poor working conditions persist, particularly for women and informal workers. The informal economy, still dominant, prompted the government to accelerate social protection reforms. In 2024, Cambodia launched the National Social Protection Policy Framework 2024–2035, introduced new policy tools for the formalization of informal workers, and expanded digital systems for registration and benefit delivery. These reforms have significantly improved coverage: over 7 million people are now protected, including 2.5 million under healthcare and nearly 5 million under the Health Equity Fund. However, gaps remain, particularly in unemployment protection and equitable access.
Trade unions like CLC and networks such as SP4ALL continued to play a crucial role in advocating for inclusive, rights-based social protection, despite limited space for activism. Notably, over 40% of CLC members are now covered by NSSF schemes, thanks to persistent advocacy targeting vulnerable informal workers who still lack awareness or access to protection mechanisms.
Social security: In 2024, the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC) supported 790 workers—45% women and 43% under 35—in improving their access to national social security schemes.
CLC mobilized workers through participation in national and international social protection platforms. Activities included training 178 workers on social protection laws, raising awareness and advocating for better healthcare and social security benefits (reaching nearly 500 workers), and submitting a position paper to the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.
Awareness raising campaigns reached over 100.000 people, and direct support was provided to help workers access and claim their benefits.
Better coverage: by 2024, 1.170 workers (34% women and 46% under the age of 35) have gained better access to social security through enrollment in social security schemes or social insurance systems such as pension, maternity benefits, unemployment benefits, among others.
Some results of joint advocacy for better rights on social protection by SP4ALL with support from WSM through CLC
In 2024 :
What impact did this contribute to by 2024:
Between 2022-2024, SP4ALL lobbied for 4 regulations/programmes, contributing to the approval of three, which will ensure better social security for 1.1 million Cambodia workers (60% women). These are:
My name is Thel Sreypov, I’m 22 years old. I started working on the banana farm back in 2019 when I was in 14 years old. After some time, I stopped working so I could continue my studies. But I had to leave school when I was 17 because my family didn’t have enough income and my mother had an accident. That’s why I came back to work on the farm—and I’m still here.
Before we met the trade union leaders, we didn’t know anything about our rights. I didn’t even know what the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) was. But after we met Mr. Heng Choeun, the president of the Cambodian Agricultural Workers Federation (CAWF), and the team from the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC), we started learning about labour rights and the benefits of the NSSF like healthcare, work injury support, childbirth benefits, and pensions.
Now, I can explain these things to other workers. I don’t help everyone, but I try to share what I’ve learned, so others know their rights too. Before, everyone was scared to speak up. But now, we are brave enough to ask the company to register us for the NSSF. The company used to only register a few workers to look good, but we’re demanding real action.
I really want the NSSF card because we face risks at work every day. If something happens and we don’t have that card, we have to pay for everything ourselves—and with our small salaries, we can’t afford it. We also want the maternity benefits and the pension when we’re older.
But we still face many problems. The working conditions aren’t right. Sometimes we’re told to work on Sundays or holidays, and if we don’t, we don’t get paid. They can also stop us from working without notice. There aren’t enough bathrooms. And women still don’t earn the same as men—even when we’re doing the exact same job.
So, what we want is simple: we want NSSF cards for all workers, working conditions to follow the labour law and fair wages for women—equal pay for equal work. I now understand my rights. And that gives me the courage to help others speak up too.
The services from WSM-supported activities from 2022-2024 contributed to workers getting:
In 2024, Bangladesh demonstrated strength and determination in the face of challenges, making steady progress toward inclusive development and resilience. Although political unrest and economic pressures slowed growth, key sectors—including healthcare, education, and social protection—continued working toward long-term improvements. The government launched important initiatives like the Universal Pension Scheme to support vulnerable communities, showing a clear focus on social inclusion.
Political unrest in 2024 did make things harder, leading to job losses, especially in sectors like garment manufacturing. However, the government worked hard to stabilize the situation by increasing funding for key programs and improving payment systems to make sure that people received help more efficiently.
The healthcare sector faced difficulties, especially due to limited resources and climate-related health issues, but efforts to expand universal health coverage and train healthcare workers marked important steps forward. Vocational skill development programs also created new opportunities for youth and women, helping to build a stronger workforce. Despite challenges like inflation, the program has the potential to reduce poverty for older people and create more financial security for Bangladesh’s future. With continued support and improvements, the Universal Pension Scheme can help build a stronger, safer society for everyone. While challenges remain, especially in terms of funding and implementation, the progress made in 2024 highlights Bangladesh’s potential. With continued investment, inclusive policies, and stronger systems, Bangladesh is moving toward a more stable, healthy, and sustainable future for all.
I refused to resign, and on September 12, 2022, the factory authorities stopped me from returning to work. This was both illegal and deliberate. In response, I filed a case with the Labor Court in Dhaka, requesting maternity benefits and wages for 112 days. The court reviewed my case on March 3, 2023, and issued a notice to the factory, ordering them to pay my maternity benefits and wages within seven days. Unfortunately, the factory management ignored the court's notice.
I then turned to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for help and filed a formal complaint. The BGMEA sent a notice to the factory management, requesting a meeting to resolve the issue. However, the factory management disregarded the BGMEA’s efforts and refused to cooperate.
Finally, I reached out to the buyer through the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF). The buyer sent a notice to the factory management, and it was only after this that the factory took action. They eventually paid me all my maternity benefits.
In total, I received 114,705 BDT (€ 832). While I am relieved to have received my rightful benefits, the entire process was unnecessarily stressful and could have been avoided if the factory had acted responsibly from the beginning.
In 2012, with the help of her uncle who worked in the pathology department of Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK), Shilpy enrolled in paramedic training at Sreepur GK. After successfully completing the training, she began her career as a paramedic in Dhamsona/Pathalia Union, Savar. Her dedication and strong work ethic quickly earned her a promotion to supervisor within six months.
Shilpy later joined the WSM project, where she organized health programs in garment factories and communities. Through this work, she developed a deep connection with garment workers and village women. With support from WSM, she received advanced training in normal delivery and began assisting with home births alongside Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs).
Motivated by the impact of her work, Shilpy continued to grow professionally. She was transferred to Shimulia GK and later enrolled in a nursing program under the Technical Board. Her earnings helped support her family—she repaired their home, bought cows for her father to start a more stable livelihood, funded her siblings' education, and even purchased land with combined savings.
Now married and pursuing a degree at an open university, Shilpy is about to receive her nursing certificate. She proudly identifies as a nurse—a dream that once seemed out of reach due to financial hardship. Thanks to the support from GK and WSM, Shilpy has not only changed her own life but also uplifted her entire family and community health especially for pre and post-natal care.
In Asia, INSP!R Asia works with 54 organizations of Trade unions (affiliated to ITUC or Global Union Federations), member-based CSOs (such as women’s organizations, youth, people with disabilities, migrant workers, health organizations and mutuality, etc.) and National networks on Social protection. INSP!R Asia has members in 6 countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal and the Philippines; 4 are Pathfinders countries. We actively participate in various international/ continental events such as Labor20-Civil20, ASEAN People Forum, Asia-Europe People Forum, International Labor Conferences, COP, and now regarding the Global Accelerator.
Trade Unions and Civil Society organizations are important pillars in advocating for state policy making, because they can strengthen accountability, improve the effectiveness and efficiency of programs in its design, monitoring, implementation and evaluation by providing constructive criticism, different perspectives, and alternative problem solving. However, for this to happen, there must be sufficient democratic space for meaningful engagement and social dialogue. What we have observed so far in the 4 pathfinding countries, is that there are differences in the level of democratic space and involvement of trade unions and CSO. While Trade unions involvement is more straightforward because of the existing tripartite mechanism and applying the most representative status of trade unions, this is not the same for the involvement of CSOs. For example, in Indonesia, there are 5 Trade union confederations such as KSBSI which are members of the National committee, but there is no clear representation of CSOs in this committee. However, INSP!R Indonesia/ YPSI (Indonesia Social Protection Foundation) has been invited in the public consultation during the finalization of the GA roadmap, and we’d like to thank BAPPENAS as the leading ministry in Indonesia for this.
2.
From the 2 Asia meetings on GA
that we organized, we’d like to convey the following key messages:
In a multipolar
world where human security is a priority for many countries, we must be more
innovative in our approach. How reassuring it is that this GA initiative can
reverse the deteriorating situation in terms of employment and social
protection, amidst declining respect for international humanitarian and human
rights law, as well as a weakening of UN institutions. The GA initiative is a ‘Rescue
Plan’ to save the SDGs; therefore, we can’t act like it is ‘business as
usual’.
Thanks, Bismo Sanyoto, INSP!R Asia
On 12th August 2024, Kathmandu, the Nepal Trade Union Congress Youth Committee marked the International Youth Day, as sign of solidarity for prospect and progress for the youth internationally.
The street dialogue, chaired by Dipendra Sunar, President of the NTUC National Youth Committee, had as its chief guest Nepali Congress Party Deputy General Secretary Jeevan Pariyar and youth leader and Member of Parliament. He stated: “We are very conscious about youth issues. Recently, we are very engaged in amendment of the bill related Electronic Transactions Act 2063 based on the changing context of Nepal to ensure the reliability and security of electronic transactions including the control of unauthorized use of electronic records or alteration in such records through illegal manner". Pariyar also promised to share youth issues in the upcoming Central Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress Party.
Only 33% of people in Southeast Asia and 24% of people in South Asia are protected by at least one area of social protection. Many countries in Asia spend less than 2% of GDP on social protection (excluding health). Advocacy to get more people better coverage at Asian level hence remains very necessary, though the lack of regional cooperation bodies hinders effective regional advocacy by our members, who most often have to through their national policy makers, which isn’t the best strategy for certain global challenges.
Asia is the continent hardest hit by climate change and witnesses increasingly frequent and more severe catastrophes. Adaptive social protection takes an integrated approach of coordination between social protection, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction to provide longer-term solutions to address the underlying causes of vulnerability and help people prepare for the impacts of climate change. ASP recognizes that social protection measures contribute to fostering households’ absorptive, adaptive, and transformational capacity to climate change with a longer-term vision for resilience. INSP!R Asia plans to have long term actions and policy advocacy to promote Adaptive Social Protection and Climate Justice as a priority in the years to come. INSP!R Asia members consider this an urgent and critically important topic for policy changes at the global, continental and national level. Countries where INSP!R Asia members live are prone to climate disasters, whether it’s fast-onset events such as super typhoons, landslides and avalanches, or slow-onset events, such as sea level rise and depletion of clean water. INSP!R Asia believes that the Loss and Damage Fund as adopted by COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheikh and its follow up discussions during COP28 Dubai, should allocate funds to make Social Protection systems adaptive. INSP!R Asia has developed a solid position paper on this topic which was debated and agreed upon by all member organizations and then shared with policy makers in Asia and South East Asia. Moreover, partner organization are encouraged to include this topic into the existing programs and activities where possible and relevant.
India, Philippines, and Indonesia are categorized as ‘flawed democracies’ with index score of 7,04 for India, 6,73 for the Philippines and 6,71 for Indonesia. Meanwhile Nepal, and Bangladesh have been categorized as a ‘hybrid regime’ with score 4.49 for Nepal and 5,99 for Bangladesh, and Cambodia tends to be more authoritarian with only 3,18, just above China with 1,94 (The Global Democracy Index). Many governments in the regions are displaying increasing authoritarianism traits but maintain procedural democracy like general elections. These governments seldom use physical harassment, killing, imprisoned, disappearance, etc. because it risks international scrutiny or sanctions. Instead, they will deliberately undermine or weaken the functioning of trade unions and CSOs through administrative/ financial/ procedural/ legal restrictions.
Health: Over 200.000 people (63% women and 67% under 35y) had better access to health, mostly in Bangladesh through GK and through AREDS in India.
Social protection: over 500.000 people (51% women and 43% under 35 years) were reached by services to ensure better social security coverage.
Vocational training: nearly 200 workers (82% women and 80% under 35 years) received skill training to find new jobs, such as in tailoring, driving or paramedics.
Social economy: 100 members (63% women) were assisted by the partner organisations to improve their income through social economy initiatives like cooperatives.
Services related to Social security:
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As the CLC president sits on the Board of the NSSF, they raise workers’ problems regarding the quality of the NSSF services. Within CLC, a committee was established in 2022 to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Social Security schemes and their activities contributed to an additional 500 members from the agricultural sector to register in the NSSF, as well as a new pension scheme being implemented from October 2023.
The development of the social protection system in Cambodia has progressed rapidly in the last decade, especially since the Royal Government of Cambodia approved and implemented the "National Social Protection Policy Framework 2016-2025". This policy document is a long- term roadmap of the Government to lead the implementation of the social protection policy in Cambodia under the common vision of ensuring citizen's income security, reducing and preventing poverty, vulnerability and social inequality, as well as contributing to the wider development of human resources, including promoting sustainable national economic growth. To develop the social protection system and to ensure better harmonization of the different strategies, policies and other social protection activities, the Royal Government has established the “National Social Protection Council” (NSPC). The NSPC is the key actor responsible for the overall coordination and steering on the development of various social protection strategies and policies.
Before 2017, WSM has also worked with the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC) and its main federation C.CAWDU, which is organizing the workers in the garment industries of Cambodia. While contacts with CLC have remained between 2017 and 2022, as they were also part of the continental network on the right to social protection in Asia, WSM has decided to return to Cambodia to put up a program with CLC to mainstream and increase the knowledge of union leaders and workers in factories on the national social security system. In the past actions were quite focused on further developing the NSSF, through advocacy by CLC to the Cambodian government. This time the goal is to ensure that within the organization of CLC knowledge and expertise on social security is more widely shared, also at the local levels of the organization, as well in the federations organizing the formal as the informal sectors. By the end of 2026, 1.725 union leaders, members and workers should have in-depth knowledge on the Cambodian social security system and have the ability to raise awareness and advocacy for better policies on social security.
Aside from that, CLC keeps pushing to increase the coverage of the NSSF to an additional 300.000 workers (of which 60.000 in the informal sectors) and for improving the quality of the existing system, in particular the health care scheme and the occupational risks scheme. The union propagates that all Cambodian workers should be able to have health insurance and that it should similarly be available to their family members. At the same time the quality if the health facilities should improve and more diseases should be covered by the health insurance. CLC also advocates for the new pension scheme to apply to all Cambodian workers and for the creation of an unemployment benefits scheme.
