who we are?
CENTRAL Logo: Hands held together in the white circle represents solidarity and honesty. The yellow circle represents freedom of expression, as it is a basic right, and the Angkor carving is representative of strength.
The Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL) is a non-governmental, non-profit, and non-political organization working on organizing and supporting Cambodian working people through legal aid and other appropriate means to demand transparent and accountable governance for labor and human rights.
CENTRAL achieves this by assisting independent trade unions to expand their membership and training them on Cambodian labor law. CENTRAL also provides legal aid, monitoring, and legal advocacy to better protect at-risk workers and trade union leaders in cases of dismissal, suspension, and other types of union discrimination. Over the past decade, CENTRAL staff have represented thousands of union leaders dismissed from work, more than 100 union leaders criminalized for their union activities, and 250 victims of fraud and human trafficking.
CENTRAL’s core values with which we run all projects and operational work:
(1) Justice is at the heart of CENTRAL’s mission, guiding our commitment to uphold the rights and dignity of every individual, embodying our belief that all voices are heard and respected, particularly those of marginalized and vulnerable communities.
(2) Freedom is foundational to our work and represents the right to self-determination, the ability to express one’s thoughts and beliefs, and the opportunity to pursue one’s aspirations without fear of oppression or discrimination.
(3) Solidarity emphasizes the importance of unity, support, and collaboration among members of the organization. It reflects a commitment to standing together, fostering a sense of belonging, and working collectively towards shared goals and responsibilities.
(4) Loyalty encompasses the commitment and allegiance of employees, customers, and stakeholders to an organization. It plays a crucial role in shaping the culture, performance, and overall success of an organization.
(5) Mutual respect fosters a culture of dignity, collaboration, and open communication, which is essential for a healthy workplace environment and civil society.
(6) Equity is not just about treating everyone the same way; it's about addressing systemic inequalities and providing tailored support to ensure fair outcomes.
(7) Transparency fosters trust, accountability, and collaboration, creating a culture where individuals feel informed and empowered to contribute and beneficiaries are empowered to provide feedback
CENTRAL operates as four distinct units:
- 1./ Organizing Unit
- 2./ Anti-Human Trafficking and Migration Unit
- 3./ Protection Unit
- 4./ Media and ICT Unit