The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today a new grant to promote and protect labor rights in Cambodia by empowering parties to fairly and peacefully resolve labor disputes. The Upholding Labor Rights for Women and Men in Cambodia Project, awarded to the Labor Arbitration Council Foundation (ACF), will help workers and employers resolve labor rights disputes and address labor rights violations. This project supports the U.S. government’s commitment to human rights in Cambodia and emphasizes the importance of effective and credible labor dispute resolution processes.
The three-year, $700,000 project will expand labor dispute assistance and services to workers in a variety of sectors including garment, construction, and hospitality industries. This project focuses on three interlinked components: labor dispute resolution; outreach and training for workers, employers, and government officials regarding labor rights and dispute resolution; and institutional integrity and sustainability of the Arbitration Council. By strengthening the system that allows workers and employers to advocate for their rights and access trusted services, claims and disputes can be addressed more efficiently and effectively.
“The U.S. Embassy in Cambodia is proud to support labor rights in Cambodia, especially since a substantial amount of all Cambodian exports are bound for the United States,” noted USAID Country Director Rebecca Black. “Resolving labor disputes quickly is important for workers and good for business,” she continued. “It is a classic win-win scenario.”
About the U.S. Agency for International Development: USAID was founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy and serves as the lead agency of the U.S. Government for foreign assistance. Since 1992, USAID has invested over $1 billion towards Cambodia’s development.
About Arbitration Council Foundation (ACF): ACF is local Cambodian organizations established to support and facilitate the labor dispute resolution (LDR) work of the Arbitration Council (AC), Cambodia’s independent national LDR institution.
