Cancellation of Better Work programme to hurt Cambodian factory workers

April 3, 2025

HRRC strongly opposes the decision of the U.S. Department of Labor to cancel the Better Work programme. Due to this initiative factory employees within Cambodia have benefited greatly, and its removal will likely herald the arrival of instability and increase the potential threat to human rights.

Cambodia garment factory workers [Image credit: betterwork.org]

The decision by the U.S Department of Labor to cancel all contracts for the Bureau of International Labour has been met with shock. Immediate concern has been directed towards countries like Cambodia who have benefited from the department’s Better Work programme for over 25 years.

Better Work, which in Cambodia goes by the name of Better Factories Cambodia (BFC), has worked to improve conditions for workers within the country for the last two decades. In many areas significant progress has been made, but many employed in the industry are still suffering and the cancellation of such an important programme is certain to have detrimental effects.

The manufacturing of garments in Cambodia is a huge industry; it retains a workforce of over 700,000 individuals with companies like Nike and Gap prominent in the area. Around 90% of the workforce are female, working shifts that are commonly well over 12 hours.

The issue of low wages is no different in Cambodia than the rest of the world with less than 2% of garment workers earning a living wage. It means they are forced to stay in accommodation that is frequently in areas that are rife with incidences of burglary and drug use.

With conditions remaining bleak for so many Cambodian women the removal of the Better Work programme must be reconsidered. It is believed that since its inception it has helped reduce the gender pay gap by 17% within the national garment sector, and facilitated alignment with regards to pay incentives.

Perhaps more crucially it has been able to usher in a period of compliance for factory owners and companies who participate in the scheme. The fact that these owners are unable to force their will on workers has given many female employees hope, and they have subsequently come to rely on BFC and the improvements that have been made. It is imperative that funding is maintained so that these improvements are given a chance to be built upon.

Glossary

Bleak – Lacking hope or encouragement, used to describe difficult situations.
Burglary – The crime of entering a building illegally, and stealing from it
Bureau of International Labour – An organisation that focuses on global labor issues, including workers' rights, fair wages, and working conditions.
Compliance – The act of following rules, laws, or standards, particularly in the workplace.
Detrimental Effects – Harmful consequences or negative impacts resulting from an action, or policy.
Garments – Articles of clothing produced in the textile industry.
Gender Pay Gap – The difference in earnings between men and women, often caused by discrimination, and workplace policies.
Inception – The start of an institution or an organisation
Living Wage – A wage that is high enough to cover basic necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare.
Pay Incentives – Additional financial rewards given to employees to encourage productivity and performance.
Prominent – Important or well known.
Rife – Widespread or commonly occurring, often referring to negative issues such as corruption, or exploitation.
Scheme – A system for doing or organising something.

Sources

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Cancellation of Better Work programme to hurt Cambodian factory workers

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