AKP Phnom Penh, April 29, 2026 --

Labour unions and returned migrant workers have voiced strong support for the Royal Government’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, praising it as an important pathway for skilled workers to obtain formal certification and access better-paying jobs in Cambodia.

Among those benefiting from the initiative are Mr. Nou Net, Mr. Kon Kesh, and Mr. Uch Kea, Cambodian workers recently returned from Thailand.

They expressed gratitude to the Royal Government for launching the RPL programme, noting that it enables former migrant workers with years of practical experience in the construction sector to have their skills formally assessed and recognised free of charge.

By receiving official certification, these workers are now able to demonstrate their expertise to employers in Cambodia, helping them transition from informal labour to recognised professional roles.

Mr. Sam Soeun, President of the National Labour Union of Cambodia (NLC) and a member of the National Committee for Training, said participants are not required to pay for the RPL assessment and will receive an official certificate from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.

He added that the certification would improve their opportunities to secure employment in companies, factories, and enterprises across the country.

Mr. Sam Soeun described the programme as an important government measure to recognise the skills and experience of Cambodian workers in the construction sector, helping them obtain decent jobs with better incomes and access benefits under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

He added that the programme would also play a key role in improving the quality of the construction workforce and supporting national economic development.

According to H.E. Sun Mesa, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, free RPL assessments for former Cambodian migrant workers in the first phase are being conducted every weekend starting from April 24 in nine capital and provincial locations.

The RPL programme covers eight specific construction skills: masonry (bricklaying and plastering), tiling, formwork installation, plumbing, electrical wiring in buildings, scaffolding, steel fixing, and electric welding.

Article in Khmer by Sophal
Article in English by Lim Nary