7th National Industrial Relations Conference

This National Industrial Relations Conference (NIRC) is a national forum for key employment and labour stakeholders and partners to engage in social dialogue for improved industrial relations in Cambodia and thereby contribute to broader economic growth and social development. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the tripartite stakeholders and others to directly interact with each other on current matters of common interest.

Six conferences were organized by the Arbitration Council and Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training and the ILO. In 2015 with support from SDC, SIDA, GAP Inc. and Levi Strauss Foundation, the 6^th NIRC was focused on minimum wage, management of interest claims and better understanding and appreciation of STRIKES in Cambodia. These conferences have provided stakeholders an important forum to solicit and provide feedback on national industrial relations policy, for example, inputs for the Prakasregulation of the legal representative status of trade unions operating in Cambodia.

This year 2016 with support from TDSP, SIDA, USAID, DFAT, GAP Inc. and Levi Strauss Foundation, the Council, Foundation and Ministry have organized the 7^th NIRC under the theme: “Cambodia Industrial Relations: Maturity and Commitment to Growth”. The conference has the following themes:

• Maturity of Cambodian Industrial Relations
• Maturing Industrial Relations: Roles of CBA
• Practical & More Effective Workplace Mechanisms

The co-organizers are bringing together key government, business and union representatives as well as international industrial relations experts to discuss the impact and potential of peaceful industrial relations in Cambodia. The conference is for all interested stakeholders including the key parties: government, employers and trade union representatives, but also those students, private lawyers and advocates, international buyers, development partners and embassies seeking to better understand of the overall development, progress and relative maturity of industrial relations in Cambodia.

H.E. Ith Sam Heng, Minister of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training,gave an interview with the group of journalists.

Ms. Julie Chung, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy to Cambodia, gave speech.

The 7th National Industrial Relations Conference “Cambodian Industrial Relations: Maturity and Commitment to Growth”

Arbitrator Ms. Chhiv Phyrum gave an interview with the journalist.

sioner Michael GAY (Left), and Prof. KONG Phallack (Right) gave discussion about “Maturing Industrial Relations: Roles and Evolution of CBA Cambodia- A Good Practice of Bargaining”, moderated by Mr. Hans Hwang (Center).

Mr. Men Nimmith, ACF Executive Director, Ambassador Anna Maj Hultgård, Embassy of Sweden to Cambodia and Arbitrator Ms. Chhiv Phyrum attended the 7th National Industrial Relations Conference.

H.E. Ith Sam Heng, Minister of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, gave an opening remark.

Ms. Julie Chung, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy to Cambodia, conversed with Mr. Men Nimmith, Executive Director, Arbitration Council Foundation.

The 7th National Industrial Relations Conference “Cambodian Industrial Relations: Maturity and Commitment to Growth”

Mr. Sok Lor, Managing Director of SXH Law Firm, gave a discussion about ‘Overview of Industrial Relations reflecting National Employment Policy & Industrial Development Policy’.

Ms. Sandra D’Amico (Left), Mr. William Conklin, H.E. Heng Sour, and Mr. Chhieu Veyara gave discussion on “Maturity of Cambodian Industrial Relations”, moderated by Mr. Men Nimmith.