PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - September 23, 2026

Safer journeys to and from work are essential to protecting the lives and well-being of Cambodia’s factory workers. To support stronger measures that address road safety risks faced by workers during their daily commutes, key stakeholders came together for a consultative workshop on the Factory-Level Road Safety Policy, under the program Policy Reform for Safe Journeys for Cambodian Factory Workers, supported by the United Nations Road Safety Fund.

"Progress on road safety lasts when governments lead it. UNRSF's role is catalytic: our funding is an initial investment, meant to trigger action and prove the concept. In Cambodia, the National Social Security Fund and its partners are turning today's discussion into workplace practice with technical support from AIP Foundation and the International Labour Organization's Better Factories Cambodia programme. We look forward to seeing this approach scale to additional factories and Special Economic Zones across the country," said Nneka Henry, Head of the UN Road Safety Fund Secretariat.

The workshop provided an important platform for stakeholders to review the proposed Factory-Level Road Safety Policy, share strategic recommendations, and explore opportunities for collaboration toward its potential nationwide adoption. Discussions also focused on strengthening the policy through technical guidance and identifying opportunities to pilot its implementation at selected factories and/or Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Participants discuss learnings for factory worker safety at the workshop.

AIP Foundation and the International Labour Organization-Better Factories Cambodia (ILO-BFC) programme presented the proposed policy and strategic plan, inviting stakeholders to review the approach and provide input to support its further development. The consultation brought together stakeholders to consider how the policy can be translated into practical action at the factory level and contribute to safer commuting conditions for workers.

“Our experience shows that awareness alone is not enough. Road safety needs to become part of the way factories manage occupational safety and health risks, supported by management commitment, worker participation and practical preventive measures. This consultation is an important step in applying these lessons to strengthen the Factory-Level Road Safety Policy and build a practical approach that can be implemented more widely, helping to make safer journeys to and from work a reality for more factory workers across Cambodia,” said Froukje Boele, Country Programme Manager of the International Labour Organization - Better Factories Cambodia programme.

Strengthening policy through collaboration

The development of the Factory-Level Road Safety Policy reflects the importance of collaboration among government agencies, employers, workers, and road safety partners in addressing the risks faced by factory workers during their daily journeys.

As part of the consultation, stakeholders discussed the proposed workplan for piloting the Factory-Level Road Safety Policy and explored opportunities to support implementation at factories and/or SEZs. Initiating the pilot at the designated locations will provide an opportunity to test and strengthen the policy approach while generating practical learning for future implementation.

The consultation represents an important step toward building greater alignment among stakeholders around factory-level road safety and advancing policy solutions that can help safeguard workers.

“Improving road safety for commuting factory workers requires coordinated action and practical solutions. This consultation provides an important opportunity for stakeholders to strengthen the Factory-Level Road Safety Policy and identify effective approaches for implementation. We remain committed to mobilize collective efforts to promote safer journeys and protect the lives and well-being of workers,” said H.E Dr. Heng Sophanarith, Deputy Director-General of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and Head of the NSSF’s Road Traffic Safety Team.

Laying the groundwork for safer journeys

“Through the Factory-Level Road Safety Policy, we aim to strengthen the way road safety is addressed at the factory level and create practical solutions that protect workers on their daily journeys. By bringing together government, employers, workers’ representatives, workers, and road safety partners, this consultation helps build the collaboration needed to pilot, strengthen, and ultimately advance a policy approach that can support safer journeys for factory workers across Cambodia,” shared Pagna Kim, Country Director for AIP Foundation Cambodia.

Through continued collaboration and stakeholder engagement, the Factory-Level Road Safety Policy aims to strengthen road safety practices within factories and support safer journeys for Cambodian factory workers.

The consultation will help inform the next steps toward piloting the policy and exploring its potential for broader adoption. By bringing stakeholders together around a shared commitment to safer mobility, the initiative contributes to wider efforts to protect workers and promote safer roads across Cambodia.