Eighteen non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have expressed deep concern over the return of approximately 900,000 Cambodian migrant workers from Thailand, warning of severe implications for Cambodia’s already fragile employment and economic landscape.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the NGOs highlighted that the scale of this return—triggered by five days of armed clashes along the Cambodia–Thailand border in late July—is unprecedented, surpassing even the COVID-19 pandemic period when about 260,000 workers returned home.
The statement noted that many returning workers face immediate hardship, including a lack of food and job opportunities. According to the Center for Labor and Human Rights, over 700 workers have already returned to rural areas, where access to employment is especially limited.
While the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training announced in August that 190,000 job openings are available—in the industrial and service sectors—most returning workers possess skills in construction and agriculture, creating a mismatch between labour supply and demand.
The NGOs are urging the government to expand and increase cash assistance to families of returning migrant workers; provide emergency food aid and enhanced access to free public services, especially healthcare; establish a temporary worker quota system to encourage private sector employment in labour-intensive sectors like construction, agricultural processing, and infrastructure maintenance; issue vocational certificates to skilled returnees, especially those with experience in construction, services, and food sectors.
Sun Mesa, spokesman for the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, acknowledged the concerns but emphasised that the return of workers presents a “golden opportunity” to meet labour demands in Cambodia’s growing production sector.
Mesa stated that Cambodia currently has more than 300,000 job opportunities, including 60,000 positions in construction. He also cited ongoing government initiatives, including 11 key labour measures launched in June to support job placement for returning workers.
From October 3 to 26, the ministry is conducting a campaign across five provinces—comprising Prey Veng, Kampong Thom, Banteay Meanchey, and Siem Reap—aiming to connect up to 300,000 job seekers with employers, in partnership with the private sector and labour unions.
Mesa added that 84,000 factory positions remain unfilled and projected that Cambodia could see up to 380,000 new job opportunities emerge from more than 500 upcoming investment projects.
He assured that the ministry will continue efforts to train unskilled workers and support poor and vulnerable populations through employment programmes.
Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/