Cambodia builds evidence-based policymaking capacity to drive decent work

PHNOM PENH (ILO News) – Cambodian government officials, employers and workers’ representatives have gained practical skills to design policies that respond to Cambodia’s evolving labour market challenges.

Jointly organised by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), a five-day training course took place from 5-9 May 2025.  Some 38 participants were trained to use evidence and data to develop inclusive and effective labour policies, addressing issues such as informality, fair wages and access to social protection.

“This training underscores the importance of grounding policy in credible evidence to ensure meaningful and sustainable progress in the world of work,” said Som Chamnan, Secretary of State at the MLVT, representing Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, at the opening ceremony. 

“We are proud to partner with the ILO to strengthen capacity of our policymakers and relevant stakeholders in shaping policies that promote inclusive growth and social justice,” he added. 

Through interactive sessions, participants are learning advanced research methods, engaging in real-time data analysis and developing actionable policy briefs addressing key national priorities.

"Effective policymaking starts with credible evidence," said Naren Prasad, Head of Education and Training at the ILO’s Research Department in Geneva and lead facilitator of the training. "This programme equips policymakers with the skills they need to design practical solutions that make a real impact—whether in setting fair wages, safeguarding the rights of migrant workers, or expanding access to decent work."

The programme offers a unique combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises on topics such as informality in the labour sector, social dialogue and communicating evidence to diverse stakeholders. 

By the end of the course, each participant could produce a policy brief tailored to Cambodia’s labour context, fostering peer learning and constructive dialogue among institutions.

“This training is both timely and transformative,” added Ken Chamuva Shawa, Head of the ILO Regional Economic and Social Analysis Unit for Asia and the Pacific at the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. “As Cambodia works to expand social protection and improve working conditions, building the capacity of policymakers to use solid evidence is critical to ensuring that reforms are both effective and inclusive.”