1. Regulatory Development
On 19 October 2026, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (the “MLVT”) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (the “MEF”) jointly issued Inter-Ministerial Prakas No. 234/26 on the Adjustment of the Minimum and Ceiling of Contributory Wage (“Joint Prakas No. 234/26”).
Joint Prakas No. 234/26 revises the minimum and maximum contributory wage thresholds applicable to the National Social Security Fund (“NSSF”) as follows:
Contributory Wage | Previous Threshold | Revised Threshold |
Minimum | KHR 400,000 (approx. USD 100) | KHR 600,000 (approx. USD 150) |
Maximum (Ceiling) | KHR 1,200,000 (approx. USD 300) | KHR 1,500,000 (approx. USD 375) |
Note: USD equivalents are approximate and calculated using an illustrative exchange rate of USD 1 = KHR 4,000.
2. Financial Implications
The revised contributory wage thresholds may result in higher monthly NSSF contributions under the Occupational Risk, Health Care, and Pension Schemes, depending on employees’ applicable contributory wages. Contributions under the Occupational Risk and Health Care Schemes are borne by employers, while Pension Scheme contributions are shared between employers and employees.
3. Implementation and Compliance
Pursuant to Article 3 of Joint Prakas No. 234/26, the revised contributory wage thresholds were intended to take effect on and from 19 October 2026. However, the NSSF subsequently issued Notification No. 3135/26 dated 28 October 2026 on the Implementation of the Adjustment of the Minimum and Ceiling of Contributory Wage (“Notification No. 3135/26”), clarifying that the revised thresholds apply from November 2026.
Employers should therefore review and update their payroll systems to reflect the revised contributory wage thresholds, ensure the accurate calculation of NSSF contributions and employee pension deductions, and assess the resulting increase in payroll costs.
