Cambodia - June 27, 2018

AIP Foundation was invited to present at the Malaysia Commuting Accident and Road Safety Seminar (MyCARSS) 2018 on the topic of Transport Safety among Workers in Developing Countries. Louise Goldman, AIP Foundation’s Policy and Program Advisor, presented a case study of the transport safety risks impacting Cambodia’s commuting factory workers.

Commuting safety has been a cause of growing concern for some time in Cambodia- to both national road safety actors as well as industry stakeholders. Goldman presented on how government, non-government, and industry are working to tackle these complex issues. In particular, Goldman spoke about the leadership being shown by international garment, apparel, and footwear brands and buyers sourcing from Cambodia as well as by other concerned stakeholders who have come together to establish a Transportation Working Group. Better Factories Cambodia, a program of the International Labour Organization, coordinates the working group. Goldman outlined the sectoral road safety strategy that AIP Foundation developed, which aligns with the pillars of the UN’s Decade of Action for Road Safety and provides a road map for action. Goldman also discussed policy recommendations and practical factory-level initiatives being implemented as part of a one-year pilot program supported by the Transportation Working Group in collaboration with targeted factories.

More than 300 participants from both the government and private sector attended the conference, which was organized by Malaysia’s Social Security Organization (SOCSO), an organization that provides insurance to workers who are injured at work or when commuting. SOCSO identified that commuting crashes are now their biggest driver of increasing worker claims. In line with the conference theme “Fostering Commuting Safety Culture Towards Vision Zero,” SOCSO has committed to improving commuting safety for workers and to take action towards their Vision Zero pledges.