The Right to Social Security in Cambodia

Abstract: Given that the social security has not been extended to vast majority of Cambodia’s population, this thesis is initiated to analyze whether the implementation of the Right to Social Security is effective and in line with the international social security instruments. In doing so, the analysis is conducted by examining Cambodia’s national legal framework and polices concerning the implementation of the Right to Social Security. At the same time, the thesis also tries to explore the potential challenges that affect the realization of this right by taking into consideration of the national legislation, economic and social contexts of Cambodia. The analysis is based on the data and documents accessible through the websites of relevant organizations and Cambodia’s governmental units. This study finds that the implementation of the Right to Social Security in Cambodia is still not effective because the scheme coverage is very limited and inadequate. The national legislation excludes certain employments from the statutory provision of social security, for example, the domestic and migrant workers including other workers engaging in the informal economy. The thesis finds several challenges affecting the implementation of this right in Cambodia. Those are: 1) governance issue; poor coordination within the overall social protection system, for example, the unclear institutional responsibility; 2) the large number of the informal economy and the limited budget to support the social protection programs; and 3) poverty, especially population in rural areas who are always affected by social risks such as diseases and natural disaster and engage in the informal economy where they cannot take part in the contributory system of the social security. At last, the thesis also intends to explore what Cambodia should consider in relation to the protection of the Right to Social Security following by the ASEAN Economic Community.