#WhenWomenRISE: Digital wages are a win for workers and business in Cambodia

Around a million people work in Cambodia’s garment, footwear and home textiles industry, most of whom are women. The sector has undergone a remarkable change through wage digitalization: around 75% of global brand suppliers, representing over half a million workers, now receive their wages digitally, a stark increase from just 22% five years ago. In part, this is driven by a growing number of brands and buyers, including many RISE members, asking their suppliers to pay wages digitally.

The #WhenWomenRISE campaign, a partnership between RISE and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth for International Women's Day 2025, showcases this shift and encourages continued investment in the financial health and resilience of workers as key drivers of shared economic value. The benefits have a ripple-effect across communities and business.

Khanara Huy and Ry Vat, garment workers at a RISE partner factory, embody this change. Through digital wages and tailored training, they’ve increased their financial resilience. They now feel more confident using digital banking, saving, and making informed choices that improve their financial future.

It’s a win for everybody as wage digitalization saves factories money on admin costs and improves compliance with labor standards. A factory’s shift to digital wage payment cascades into a series of comprehensive benefits for the business, its workers and the surrounding communities and economies.