Cambodia is stepping up efforts to protect garment workers from rising workplace heat, as policymakers and industry leaders warn of growing risks to health and productivity.

On 19 January, government officials, employers, unions, international brands and researchers gathered in Phnom Penh to discuss how soaring temperatures are affecting the country’s labour-intensive garment industry. The consultation comes after years of record-breaking heat, with new studies showing unmanaged heat stress is already leading to health problems, reduced output and factory disruptions.

The meeting highlighted the need to align workplace safety measures with Cambodia’s broader climate adaptation and green economy goals. Officials confirmed that the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training is drafting a new regulation on workplace heat, known as a Prakas, alongside the development of a wider Occupational Safety and Health Law.

“Rising temperatures are already affecting workers’ health, factory efficiency and productivity in Cambodia’s garment sector. This dialogue will help translate climate risks into concrete policy and workplace solutions that protect workers while sustaining competitiveness,” said Xiaoyan Qian, Director of the ILO Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR.

The consultation was convened under the UN’s Partnership for Action on Green Economy and led by the International Labour Organization and Better Factories Cambodia, with support from partners including GIZ/FABRIC Cambodia, Cornell University, the National University of Singapore and EuroCham’s Responsible Business Hub.

For Cambodia, where garment exports remain a cornerstone of the economy, the challenge is clear: adapting to climate pressures while safeguarding workers and sustaining competitiveness in global markets. The new policies aim to ensure that rising heat does not undermine one of the country’s most vital industries.

-2026-02-10