Op-Ed: Economic Backbone and Social Frontline are Cambodian Women

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The air is thick with the scent of fabric and the hum of industry. Rows upon rows of women sit hunched over their machines, their hands moving with practiced precision.

The noise of stitching and the buzz of fluorescent lights create a world of their own, a stark contrast to the bright sun outside.

These women, many of whom are the backbone of their families, work tirelessly, their eyes fixed on the pieces of clothing that will soon find their way to shops and boutiques across the globe. Their fingers, nimble and calloused, expertly guide the fabric through their sewing machines, creating garments that they will never wear, for people they will never meet.

The work of these women is not just a testament to their resilience but is also a vital wheel moving Cambodian economy forwards. Their earnings support extended families, pay for their children's education, and contribute to the local economy. They are the indispensable part of this nation.

Cambodian women form the backbone of the Cambodian workforce, especially in informal sectors such as construction, garment, and tourism. Despite their significant contributions, they face job insecurity and exploitation. This has led to frequent protests, with women vocalizing their demands for better treatment and fair wages.

Long Overdue:

Protests in the construction, garment, and tourism sector, in which much of the lower-skilled work is done by women workers, often relate to overdue wages. The significant number of women protesters representing causes in the construction, garment, and tourism industry reflects the sheer number of women who are working in these industries, and also just how insecure these jobs can be.

In a protest related to late payments to workers at DNC Mall construction in the capital, Choem Chab, 40 years old, a female bricklayer from Kampong Thom province said that:

“we’ve done no work because we are waiting to get our payment.” She added, “Yesterday I borrowed $20 to pay for my food. … Now I’m in debt for nearly $1,000.”

In 2020, when Canteran Apparel failed to pay factory workers their full wages, nearly 1,000 garment workers protested outside the factory demanding management pay them regularly. One woman protester told VOD at the time that:

“workers said they will face difficulties managing daily expenses, such as rent, utilities, children’s school fees, and bank loans if their employer does not pay their full, regular wages.”

During the pandemic-related economic downturn, workers at the Cambodian Cultural Village in Siem Reap faced a 20% wage cut and lost a $25 monthly food stipend. Dozens of employees, including Sok Sreymom, who has worked as a choreographer in the Cultural Village for 17 years, said the company did not have a reason for closing the art office as another worker explained that

“the loss of [the office] means that now the other workers are on their own, not knowing what positions [the company] could send them to, with no preparation.”

Final Thoughts:

Women protesters are often framed as acting on behalf of a foreign influence, but in fact they are ordinary people working in insecure job industries with no political power to speak of. These women turn to protest because they lack other forms of recourse for the challenges they face.

These women are essential to this country’s economy, which relies heavily on informal sectors (accounting for 62% of the GDP). Among the total labor force, 93.1% are informal workers and more than half of them are women.

Undeniably, this country cannot run smoothly without their contributions. But the “low skill” nature of these types of work also means these women can be unfairly treated by employers and dismissed easily and quickly. When this is the case, protest is the form of self-defense they turn to.

So, when they take to the streets, remember:

They are not just fighting for fair wages or better working conditions. They are fighting for recognition, for dignity, and for a future where their contributions are valued and respected.

They are the heartbeat of Cambodia, and without them, our nation would be lost.