The European Union is contemplating withdraw Cambodia’s Everything But Arms (EBA) access.This, Cambodia fears, can harm 7,50,000 workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods sector and three million families, lead to large job losses and would not serve the EBA program’s objective of poverty eradication and sustainable development.

Concessions offered through EBA had lifted millions of Cambodians out of poverty and significantly contributed to Cambodia’s economic and social development. Of exports from Cambodia to the EU last year, more than 95 per cent were included under the EBA. Workers, unionists and others benefiting from the EBA program would like to see the EU maintain Cambodia’s EBA access.

Three areas of concern initially prompted the EU to launch the EBA withdrawal procedure in February – political freedom, human rights and labor rights. In the labor sector, Cambodia as complied with EU conditions in dropping charges against union leaders as well as making changes to the trade union law. But the EU needs action on political freedom and human rights, too, and if progress were shown in these areas, the EU would consider maintaining Cambodia’s EBA access.

In three months, the EU will take a final decision on Cambodia’s EBA status.