Phnom Penh: Major unions in Cambodia have stated that former Khmer workers who have found employment in the garment, sewing, footwear manufacturing, travel goods, and bag production sectors have no intention of returning to work in Thailand anymore, due to the abundance of local jobs and greater benefits than those in Thailand.
Mr. Som Suon, President of the Cambodian National Labor Federation, said that former Khmer workers employed in the garment, sewing, footwear manufacturing, travel goods, and bag production sectors have no intention of returning to work in Thailand as claimed by Sontral, because the benefits they receive from local jobs are greater than working in Thailand.
He added that currently Cambodia has increasing factories, companies, and service sectors that create many jobs for citizens. Local jobs provide stable salaries, health insurance guarantees, and other benefits, and they can avoid risks such as fraud, human trafficking, or legal issues in Thailand. Especially, they can live with their families, not be separated, and better care for their children.
This union leader confirmed: “Along with these benefits, the Cambodian government is encouraging the creation of many measures and agreements to increase job opportunities, social protection, and technical and vocational training education to create jobs, strengthen citizens’ capacities, and expand production to maintain national economic stability.”
Regarding Mr. Hang Ravi, President of the Cambodian Workers’ Rights Union (CWPUC), he said that he has also asked about the intentions of many former Khmer workers returning from Thailand, but they all answered similarly that they have no intention to return, even though the relationship between the two countries has improved.
He added that they have faced many problems such as fraud, illegal work, some workers lacking proper documents, possible issues with authorities, fines, and arrests. Some cases involve difficult work, long working hours, inappropriate salaries, or insufficient benefits, especially being separated from families, which affects their living conditions and family emotions.
Furthermore, he said: “I have seen Sontral’s report, but it does not reflect the truth because I have also surveyed or asked workers who are former workers, and they told me they will not go back to work in Thailand because there are also many jobs in our country, and there are no safety concerns. Working locally helps develop our homeland.”
Mr. Ravi appealed to former Khmer workers not to return to Thailand but to seek jobs within Cambodia, where the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training is ready to provide job opportunities at all times, along with a contact phone number 1297 to receive suitable job opportunities.
