Cambodia embraces AI and digitalization for safer and healthier workplaces

PREAH SIHANOUK PROVINCE, Cambodia (ILO News) - Cambodia observed the 2025 World Day for Safety and Health at Work with a strong commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization to enhance workplace safety, health, and productivity.

The event, held at the Zhe Jiang Special Economic Zone on 5 May 2025, aimed to raise public awareness about occupational safety and health, and the prevention of accidents at work.

Themed "The Impact of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Workers' Safety and Health", the event brought together approximately 1,400 participants, mostly workers from the Special Economic Zone, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training and other Government ministries, workers' and employers' organizations, provincial authorities, the ILO and development partners.

Nguy Rith, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring technology serves as a tool for worker protection stating "I fully support the proposal to integrate AI and digitalization into our ongoing occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation to ensure that technology serves to enhance, not endanger, workers' well-being."

Kinal Sar, representing employers, highlighted the positive impact of technology on productivity and added that "AI and digitalization can foster productivity, and the Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations (CAMFEBA) is ready to invest in these technologies".

The event showcased real-world examples of how digitalization can enhance OSH. A kitchen furniture factory in the Zhe Jiang Special Economic Zone demonstrated how AI and digitalization is used to assist workers with physically demanding tasks. Additionally, the factory established a bipartite OSH committee to ensure worker protection and well-being by addressing OSH hazards, including those attributable to AI and digitalization.

Ly Vichet, representing a workers' organization, cautioned about the potential negative impacts of digitalization: "Without proper management, these technologies could lead to job displacement, breach confidentiality, and heighten stress levels."

Ahead of the 2025 World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which was observed globally on 28 April, the ILO released a new report titled Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work. The report explores how AI, digitalization, robotics and automation are reshaping occupational safety and health in workplaces worldwide. It highlights how these emerging technologies are improving worker safety, health and well-being while underscoring the need for proactive policies and practices to address potential risk factors.

"These technologies have the potential to reduce occupational health and safety risks and improve working conditions, especially in 3D (difficult, dirty, and dangerous) jobs," said Sophorn Tun, ILO National Coordinator in Cambodia.

To support these efforts, the ILO's "Promoting a Safe and Healthy Working Environment in Thailand and Cambodia" project - funded by the Government of Japan - distributed educational resources, enhancing stakeholders' understanding of AI, digital safety, and OSH best practices.

For further information, please contact:

Saoleng CHHENG

National Project Coordinator

Email: chhengs@ilo.org