This briefing highlights Cambodian garment workers’ financial lives, focusing on the gap between individual earnings and household costs. Conducted by various trade unions affiliated with Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA), the research reveals that a typical worker’s monthly income of US$300 covers only 60% of their family’s total expenditure. Most households surveyed depend on multiple earners to survive, yet 75% remain burdened by debt while consuming an average of 1,985 calories per person daily. The data highlights how families prioritise basic consumables and housing over education, with many workers relying on overtime and bonuses to make ends meet. Ultimately, the report serves as an empirical foundation for future wage negotiations, arguing that current pay levels may not fully support an adequate standard of living.

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