Cambodian Labor law has evolved through five main stages, namely the pre-independence
era, the post-independence eras of 1953 to 1970, 1970 to 1975, 1979 to 1992, and 1993 to
the present.1 The pre-independence era includes the periods before and during the French
colonization, from the First Century A.D. to 1953. During this period, there was no written
labor law. Legal measures governing the relationship between employers and workers
were first established under the 1920 Civil Code, then by a 1927 Sub-decree which set
forth a 10 hour workday and other labor regulations established during the French colonial
period.2 The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs was first established in 1951 by Royal
Decree No 651 NS of December 1951.3 During the post independence era to 1970