Lesson 81: An Overview of the Textile Industry

Sopheak Pich
📖 Reading Lab
Lesson 81
Context: Read this overview about the garment industry in Cambodia. It is one of the most important parts of the economy. Tap the dashed words if you need help with vocabulary.

The Backbone of the Economy

The textile and garment industry is a crucial part of Cambodia's economy. It is the country's largest export sector and employs hundreds of thousands of workers. The majority of these workers are women who travel from rural provinces to work in factories around the capital.

These factories produce clothes, shoes, and travel goods for major global brands that are sold all over the world. Over the past twenty years, the industry has seen massive expansion, bringing in billions of dollars each year and helping to reduce national poverty rates.

However, to keep this growth strong, the industry faces ongoing challenges. Fair wages, safe working conditions, and environmental concerns remain a focus for unions and the government. Finding solutions to these issues is necessary to ensure a sustainable future for both the workers and the economy.

Key Words 📚

ពាក្យគន្លឹះសំខាន់ៗ
Crucial /ˈkruː.ʃəl/ សំខាន់បំផុត / ចាំបាច់
Brand /brænd/ ម៉ាកយីហោ

More Words 📚

ពាក្យគន្លឹះសំខាន់ៗ
Expansion /ɪkˈspæn.ʃən/ ការពង្រីក
Sustainable /səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/ មាននិរន្តរភាព

Industry Impact 📊

Look at the data behind the textile industry over the last decade.

Garment exports experienced steady growth, bringing in billions of dollars.

📝 Comprehension Check

1. Who makes up the majority of the workers in the Cambodian garment industry?
2. What is needed to ensure a "sustainable" future for the industry?

Post-Reading Tasks

Complete these tasks to finish the lesson.

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