THE government has approved a sub-decree on the collection and compilation of labour-market information to help investors garner more information about Cambodia.

A sub-decree endorsed by prime minister Hun Sen during a council of ministers meeting Friday will allow the national careers agency, a body established in April 2009, to become a statistics unit, according to a statement.

“It will facilitate gathering information, data and documentation from ministries, governmental institutions, companies, associations, private industries, local and international NGOs and the public,” a statement said. The agency would also “make and promote labour market information publicly,” it said.

Om Mean, Secretary of State of Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, declined to comment further.

The announcement followed signs of increased cooperation from within the labour sector.

Late last week, the Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations issued a press release after meeting with union leaders from seven trade federations in Phnom Penh’s Sunway Hotel.

Joint recommendations included the reduction in the labour-dispute resolution period, from 45 to 21 days, and the establishment of a Labour Court as soon as possible. Som Aun, president of the National Union Alliance Chamber of Cambodia, described the agreement as a “milestone” in the field of industrial relations.

CAMFEBA President Van Sou Ieng, said: “This shows how we can work together and improve our working relations in the future.”