Migrant workers
Minister opens training for private recruitment agencies on new migrant worker regulations
The first training for private recruitment agencies on new regulations governing the sending of Cambodians to work abroad is held in Phnom Penh.
BANGKOK (ILO News) - The first training for private recruitment agencies on new regulations governing the sending of Cambodians to work abroad is held in Phnom Penh.
The training programme is presided over by H.E. Ith Sam Heng, the Minister for Labour and Vocational Training (MOLVT). It is being hosted by the Association of Cambodian Recruitment Agencies (ACRA). The ILO provides financial and technical support, and sends experts to the training, which takes place on Tuesday 25 March 2014.
The training follows the introduction of new prakas, or ministerial regulations, which fundamentally change the legal requirements for private recruitment agencies, with the aim of increasing protection for migrant workers and reducing exploitation, forced labour and human trafficking.
The eight new prakas, which were announced in September 2013, are part of a new regulatory framework that supplements Sub-Decree 190 on Sending Workers Abroad through Private Recruitment Agencies. The new prakas hold private recruitment agencies accountable for the treatment of migrant workers through routine inspections and a complaints mechanism. The MOLVT now has the authority to assess recruitment agencies according to their recruitment practices, pre-departure orientation of workers, employment contracts, job placements, repatriation processes and assistance in destination countries. Under the new complaints mechanism disputes must be dealt with within ten days of being received. Private recruitment agencies found to be non-compliant is suspended until they meet MOLVT standards.
H.E. Ith Samheng said that ACRA and all private recruitment agencies must comply with the contents of the eight prakas and sub decree on management of sending Cambodian workers to work overseas. Private recruitment agencies found to be non-compliant is suspended until they meet MOLVT standards.
Ms Ung Seangrithy, the President of ACRA and the owner of the Ung Rithy group, which is piloting a project sending Cambodian domestic workers to Singapore, said “the prakas training to members of ACRA and non-members of ACRA is very important to explain about the contents of prakas.’ She noted the commitment of ACRA to comply with the requirements in the Sub Decree 190 and the eight prakas 'to ensure that the workers will enjoy their rights and benefits from working overseas”.
Maurizio Bussi, the Officer-in-Charge of the ILO’s Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, welcomes the commitment from ACRA. Mr Bussi noted that “the effective protection of migrant workers and implementation of these regulations requires a responsible and proactive recruitment industry. It is in the interests of all to make migration safe and legal, and result in decent work.”
With support from the ILO’s GMS TRIANGLE project, the MOLVT has already held training on the new prakas for officials from other Ministries as well as provincial Government officials, village and commune leaders, NGOs, trade unions and other civil society organizations from 13 provinces. Further training is planned for May, in Sihanoukville.
The training programme is presided over by H.E. Ith Sam Heng, the Minister for Labour and Vocational Training (MOLVT). It is being hosted by the Association of Cambodian Recruitment Agencies (ACRA). The ILO provides financial and technical support, and sends experts to the training, which takes place on Tuesday 25 March 2014.
The training follows the introduction of new prakas, or ministerial regulations, which fundamentally change the legal requirements for private recruitment agencies, with the aim of increasing protection for migrant workers and reducing exploitation, forced labour and human trafficking.
The eight new prakas, which were announced in September 2013, are part of a new regulatory framework that supplements Sub-Decree 190 on Sending Workers Abroad through Private Recruitment Agencies. The new prakas hold private recruitment agencies accountable for the treatment of migrant workers through routine inspections and a complaints mechanism. The MOLVT now has the authority to assess recruitment agencies according to their recruitment practices, pre-departure orientation of workers, employment contracts, job placements, repatriation processes and assistance in destination countries. Under the new complaints mechanism disputes must be dealt with within ten days of being received. Private recruitment agencies found to be non-compliant is suspended until they meet MOLVT standards.
H.E. Ith Samheng said that ACRA and all private recruitment agencies must comply with the contents of the eight prakas and sub decree on management of sending Cambodian workers to work overseas. Private recruitment agencies found to be non-compliant is suspended until they meet MOLVT standards.
Ms Ung Seangrithy, the President of ACRA and the owner of the Ung Rithy group, which is piloting a project sending Cambodian domestic workers to Singapore, said “the prakas training to members of ACRA and non-members of ACRA is very important to explain about the contents of prakas.’ She noted the commitment of ACRA to comply with the requirements in the Sub Decree 190 and the eight prakas 'to ensure that the workers will enjoy their rights and benefits from working overseas”.
Maurizio Bussi, the Officer-in-Charge of the ILO’s Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, welcomes the commitment from ACRA. Mr Bussi noted that “the effective protection of migrant workers and implementation of these regulations requires a responsible and proactive recruitment industry. It is in the interests of all to make migration safe and legal, and result in decent work.”
With support from the ILO’s GMS TRIANGLE project, the MOLVT has already held training on the new prakas for officials from other Ministries as well as provincial Government officials, village and commune leaders, NGOs, trade unions and other civil society organizations from 13 provinces. Further training is planned for May, in Sihanoukville.
| GMS TRIANGLE project in brief |
|---|
| The Tripartite Action to Protect the Rights of Migrant Workers within and from the Greater Mekong Subregion from Labour Exploitation (the GMS TRIANGLE project) is a five-year project that aims to strengthen the formulation and implementation of recruitment and labour protection policies and practices. The project operates in six countries: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. In each country, tripartite constituents (government, workers’ and employers’ organizations) are engaged in the project’s objectives - strengthening policy and legislation, building capacity of stakeholders and providing services to migrant workers. These goals are interdependent, with policy advocacy and capacity building activities driven by the voices, needs and experiences of workers, employers and service providers. |
For further information please contact:
Mr Rim Khleang
GMS TRIANGLE National Project Coordinator for Cambodia
Tel.: +855 23 220 817
Email
Mr Max Tunon
GMS TRIANGLE Senior Programme Officer/Project Coordinator
Tel.: +66 2 288 2245
Email
GMS TRIANGLE National Project Coordinator for Cambodia
Tel.: +855 23 220 817
Mr Max Tunon
GMS TRIANGLE Senior Programme Officer/Project Coordinator
Tel.: +66 2 288 2245