PHNOM PENH, December 15, 2021.

As part of the Commuting Safety for Cambodian Workers (CSCW) program, funded by USAID through the Solidarity Centre, AIP Foundation hosted an Annual Media Forum the objective of which was to present evidence and recommendations to improve commuting safety for workers. This forum highlighted commuting safety issues to gain greater media coverage and public dissemination via diverse media platforms. Over 90 participants from the media sector, Government, trade unions, vehicle driver associations, and key stakeholders attended.

In 2020, road crashes among garment and footwear factory workers accounted for over 55% of the total commuting workers involved in road crashes. A survey of workers and collective transport drivers at five factories conducted by AIP Foundation found that over 90% of people were fearful of other drivers causing road crashes, and 28% of workers were concerned about vehicle overloading.

To address these troubling statistics, the CSCW program educates collective transport drivers about safe driving behaviors and safer modes of transport. The program encourages workers to avoid overloaded and unseated vehicles and creates safer road users through awareness-raising and trainings.

“By advocating for the evidence-based adoption of safer transport options, as well as infrastructure improvements, more workers will be ultimately able to safely access economic opportunities without the risk of injury, disability, or death,” said Mr. William Conklin, Country Program Director from the Solidarity Center, Cambodia.

AIP Foundation presented the road safety situation in Cambodia to forum participants with a focus on garment and footwear factory workers, as well as on initiatives taken to achieve the vision of improving safe commuting.

An in-depth panel discussion followed on contributions by media and opportunities to promote greater improvement of commuting safety among Cambodian workers via diverse media platforms. Panel speakers included a workers’ representative, a trade unions representative, and media institutions representatives.