The NGO Forum on Cambodia (NGOF), in collaboration with Transparency International Cambodia (TIC), the Cambodian Agricultural Workers Federation (CAWF), and Nature Life Cambodia, jointly organized a multi-stakeholder dialogue on sustainable trade and value chains in the banana and rubber sectors in Cambodia, with participants from relevant provincial authorities including: the Department of Social Affairs, the Department of Labor, the National Social Security Agency, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Economy, employers, workers and union representatives in the banana and rubber agro-industry, civil society organizations, provincial NGO coordination networks, and community-based organizations (CBOs), totaling 40 participants. The purpose of the dialogue was to raise awareness about the needs and challenges of workers in the banana and rubber agro-industry for basic rights, social protection, and workplace safety principles for them, and to encourage stakeholders to pay attention to the challenges and needs of social protection and safety equipment during the work of workers in the banana and rubber sectors. Provides a platform for workers in the banana and rubber sectors to raise their challenges to decision-makers, including the relevant departments and employers, to engage in providing solutions for workers. Provides an opportunity for discussion and action to implement fiscal policy accountability, including responsible taxation and investment, supply chain law and fair prices in the banana and rubber industries in Cambodia, and to exchange knowledge, experiences, good practices, studies and multi-stakeholder dialogue to support supply chains and fair prices in the banana and rubber industries in Cambodia.
The dialogue was held on 11 October 2024 with technical and financial support from Oxfam and the Swedish government’s Diakonia.