PHNOM PENH: Oxfam and local organisations, government agencies and private sector partners concluded their five-year Fair for All (F4A) project to address systemic challenges in the banana and rubber value chains.
According to Oxfam, the F4A project, launched in 2021, has driven meaningful change in Cambodia’s agricultural sector by influencing policy, amplifying community voices and promoting inclusive governance.
According to a Nov 19 press release, F4A strategically convened diverse stakeholders to address systemic challenges in the banana and rubber value chains through national dialogues and grassroots engagement to elevate the concerns of agricultural workers, prompting government commitments to strengthen labour protections and enforce social security laws.
It said the project had culminated in renewed inspections and oversight by the National Social Security Fund, signalling a shift toward greater accountability and worker welfare.
“F4A also championed access to justice by supporting new procedures that allow individual workers to file complaints and seek resolution through formal mediation and arbitration channels. This advancement ensures that workplace grievances are addressed fairly and transparently, reinforcing the rights of agricultural laborers across six provinces including Kampot, Kampong Cham, Tboung Khmum, Kratie, Stung Treng and Ratanakiri,” it added.
Civic engagement, such as constructive dialogue between communities and authorities, was seen as a key project outcome.
Climate resilience and gender equality were also central to F4A’s advocacy. Through consultations and policy papers, the project contributed to Cambodia’s national climate agenda, promoting renewable energy and inclusive adaptation strategies.
“Fair for All has shown that lasting change comes from collective action and courageous dialogue. By bringing workers, communities and decision-makers together, we’ve helped shape policies that protect rights and promote equity in Cambodia’s agricultural sector,” said Sophoan Phean, Oxfam national director.
Reasy Seng, excutive director at SILAKA, said that the project empowered communities to speak up and be heard.
“From local farmers to national forums, we’ve seen how inclusive engagement can drive real policy shifts and strengthen democratic governance,” she noted.
“As the F4A Project concludes, its legacy is defined not by events, but by the lasting shifts it helped catalyse stronger protections for workers, empowered communities, and a more just and sustainable agricultural future for Cambodia,” added the release. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
