The Cambodian garment industry
A case study from the 2014 Human Rights and Democracy Report.
A delegation of UK and global garment brands, coordinated by the Ethical Trading Initiative and supported by the British Embassy, lobbied the Cambodian government for better conditions for workers, including the right to negotiate wages collectively and for workers to be able to associate freely. The resulting engagement by the Cambodian government, employer associations and labour representatives resulted in a consensus agreement on a much improved minimum wage and a mechanism for reviewing it in the future.
This action reinforces the importance business places on a strong and clear regulatory framework in which to operate, as well as the importance of an empowered workforce. It is clear evidence of what can be achieved if governments and business work together to implement the UNGPs.