Cambodia's Government Unites to Support Returning Migrant Workers

Strategic Insights -

Cambodia's government has come together to facilitate the repatriation of thousands of citizens who have returned from Thailand with their migrant worker parents. As of August 13, over 900,000 Cambodians had returned from Thailand, with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training classifying them into three groups. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport is working with other authorities to enroll the estimated 50,000 children who returned with their parents in schools. The provinces of Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, and Prey Veng have seen the highest numbers of workers leaving for Thailand and returning.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Cambodian government has classified migrant workers into three groups: those aged over 45 for agricultural and community-based enterprises, those aged between 5 and 45 who returned with their parents and will be enrolled in schools, and working-age adults who are ready to join the labour market or receive vocational and professional training.
  • The provinces of Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, and Prey Veng have seen the highest numbers of workers leaving for Thailand and returning to Cambodia.
  • The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport is working with other authorities to enroll the estimated 50,000 children who returned with their parents in schools.
  • The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has established a hotline (1297) that receives over 1,000 calls per day from citizens requesting job interviews.
  • The General Department of Identification within the Ministry of Interior has been expediting the provision of civil status and identification services to citizens to ensure legal compliance.
  • The prime minister has instructed the interior and labour ministries to establish mechanisms for information sharing, addressing challenges, and developing strategies for the future to manage the flow of citizens in and out of the country more effectively.

Statistics:

  • Over 900,000 Cambodians have returned from Thailand as of August 13, according to numbers provided by border authorities.
  • The estimated 50,000 children who returned with their parents are being targeted by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport for enrolment in schools.
  • The provinces of Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, and Prey Veng have seen the highest numbers of workers leaving for Thailand and returning to Cambodia, with over 250,000 people from Battambang alone.
  • Over 1,000 calls are received per day by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training's hotline 1297 from citizens requesting job interviews.
  • 400 out of a planned 1,000 communes have been visited by ministry officials for labour market outreach and data collection.

Sources:

  • Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Heng Sour
  • Minister of Interior Sar Sokha
  • Prime Minister Hun Manet
  • International Organization for Migration (IOM)
  • International Labour Organization (ILO)
  • Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC)
  • Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport
  • Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training
  • Ministry of Interior