The participants of the workshop, on evidence-based policymaking for decent work and social justice, on May 5. Labour ministry
Cambodian government officials, employers and workers’ representatives have gained practical skills to design policies that will respond to Cambodia’s evolving labour market challenges, partly thanks to a five-day training course taking place from May 5-9.
The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are holding the joint five-day session to provide participants with practical skills in evidence-based policy design to address key labour-market challenges.
Some 38 participants were trained to use evidence and data to develop inclusive and effective labour policies, addressing issues such as informality, fair wages and access to social protection, explained a joint press release.
“This training underscores the importance of grounding policy in credible evidence to ensure meaningful and sustainable progress in the world of work,” said Som Chamnan, secretary of state at the labour ministry, as he addressed the opening ceremony.
“We are proud to partner with the ILO to strengthen capacity of our policymakers and relevant stakeholders in shaping policies that promote inclusive growth and social justice,” he added.
Participants are learning advanced research methods, engaging in real-time data analysis and developing actionable policy briefs addressing key national priorities, through interactive sessions.
“Effective policymaking starts with credible evidence,” noted Naren Prasad, head of education and training at the ILO’s Research Department in Geneva, and lead facilitator of the training.
“This programme equips policymakers with the skills they need to design practical solutions that make a real impact — whether in setting fair wages, safeguarding the rights of migrant workers or expanding access to decent work,” he added.
The programme offers a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application, with participants engaging in hands-on exercises on topics such as informality in the labour sector, social dialogue and communicating evidence to diverse stakeholders.
Ken Chamuva Shawa, head of the ILO Regional Economic and Social Analysis Unit for Asia and the Pacific at the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, described the training as both timely and transformative.
“As Cambodia works to expand social protection and improve working conditions, building the capacity of policymakers to use solid evidence is critical to ensuring that reforms are both effective and inclusive,” he emphasised.
The course is equipping each participant with the capacity to produce a policy brief tailored to Cambodia’s labour context, fostering peer learning and constructive dialogue among institutions, added the release.
