Human Development and Clothing Manufacturing in Cambodia: Challenges and Strategies for the Garment Industry

The garment industry has, in a remarkably short period of time, emerged as the preeminent industrial sector in Cambodia. The rapid growth of garment exports has created new opportunities for wage employment in manufacturing and, for workers in rural areas, a possible path out of small-scale agriculture. However, the rapid gains made by the garment industry may prove to be transient in the face of changing trade regimes and the dynamics of global competition. Moreover, despite its positive contribution to employment, the impact of garment employment on human development outcomes is complex and may not be as far-reaching as is sometimes assumed. Whether the benefits generated by the garment industry can be sustained in the long-run depends on Cambodia’s ability to address a number of challenges and constraints.