Energetic Cambodian Women Entrepreneurs Power Kingdom’s Informal Economy, From Dawn To Dusk

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, May 17 (Bernama) -- When the last rays of sunlight fade behind the skyline of Cambodia’s bustling capital and shutters come down, the city does not sleep - it transforms into a vibrant economic mood.

Under flickering streetlights and the silhouette of the night, bustling activities surge to life, breathing fresh energy into the streets of Phnom Penh that never truly rests.

Thousands of young and enterprising women emerge to begin their shifts. In cramped alleys, roadside corners and modest shop lots, they prepare for business, serving another segment of the workforce - night entertainment industry workers.

They are makeup artists, tailors, manicurists, pedicurists, facialists, hairdressers and beauticians - women turning their skills into a means of survival. They come from diverse backgrounds - single mothers, sole breadwinners or even students determined not to be defeated by poverty.

Independent socio-economist Dr Chey Tech said nearly 90 per cent of Cambodia’s workforce operates within the informal sector, with women making up about 80 per cent of that segment.

“A lot of women own small businesses in Cambodia. Women have patience, talent and strong management skills when it comes to running small enterprises. Men are usually involved in larger businesses,” Chey Tech told Bernama.

This women-driven informal sector forms a critical backbone of Cambodia’s economy, supporting a nation of nearly 17 million people, where almost 60 per cent of the population is under 30 years old.

According to the 2021 Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey, the country’s working population exceeded nine million, with women accounting for at least half.

At the crack of dawn, another wave of women flows into the city’s micro-economy, continuing the work carried through the night by others just like them.

Most of these small businesses require little capital and minimal formal training. Many operate from wet markets, roadside stalls and low-rent neighbourhoods, where success depends on their survival skills.

Others toil at construction sites, food stalls and wet markets to support families back in rural provinces.

“Many workers in the informal sector have low literacy rates, limited skills, and migrate from rural areas to earn a living in the city.

“Many girls also drop out of school because families in rural areas fear sending them long distances for education,” Chey Tech said.

Yet persistent barriers continue to hinder their progress.

Many of these women often work without social protection, healthcare coverage or job security. Limited access to financing, skills training and sustainable business opportunities exposes them to cycles of vulnerability.

Despite Cambodia’s rapid economic growth over the past decades, prosperity remains unevenly distributed, while the private sector continues to expand at a measured pace.

Wages remain relatively low. The mandatory minimum wage for Cambodia’s garment, textile and footwear sector stands at US$210 (RM829) per month, while gross domestic product per capita is US$2,713 (RM10,715).

“Industries and the private sector are still developing in Cambodia, so workers with limited education and skills often enter the informal economy.

“It is an important sector that creates jobs for Cambodians. To help them progress, the government should provide healthcare, social security and education opportunities,” he said.

Yet these ambitious young women now face mounting pressure from beyond Cambodia’s borders.

The conflict in West Asia has pushed up fuel and living costs, adding more pain to households already struggling in the Kingdom’s softening economy.

-- BERNAMA