ILO welcomes improvements in protection for Cambodian migrant workers

BANGKOK (ILO NEWS) - On 23 September the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MOLVT), announced five prakas (ministerial regulations), which supplement Sub-Decree 190 on Sending Workers Abroad through Private Recruitment Agencies. The new prakas, (along with three others signed earlier this year), strengthen the existing protection mechanisms for migrant workers and set standards for private recruitment agencies, the recruitment process, and pre-departure orientation training. Additional regulations, including around costs and use of the guarantee deposit, would strengthen the regulatory system and further ensure safer and more profitable migrant work experiences for the thousands of Cambodians that migrate to find work.

Maurizio Bussi, the Officer-in-Charge of the ILO’s Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, welcomed the new regulations. “This is a step in the right direction. It gives clear guidance to authorities and recruitment agencies on their responsibilities, and enhances the rights and protection for migrant workers at all stages of the migration cycle. This also demonstrates the commitment of the Government to involving all stakeholders in strengthening the migration process and creating a mutually beneficial regulatory system for migrant workers. It is particularly timely that this move should come as UN member states meet in New York for the United Nations High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development”.

The prakas hold private recruitment agencies accountable for the treatment of migrant workers through routine inspections. The MOLVT now has the authority to assess recruitment agencies according to their recruitment practices, pre-departure orientation of workers, employment contracts, job placements, destination country assistance, and repatriation processes. Under the new complaints mechanism, disputes must be dealt with within 10 days of being received. Private recruitment agencies found to be non-compliant will be temporarily suspended until they meet MOLVT standards.

Through support from the ILO’s GMS TRIANGLE project, the MOLVT and Provincial Departments of Labour and Vocational Training will be helped to provide training on the new prakas to local officials and village and commune leaders. NGOs, trade unions and other civil society organizations will also assist. It is hoped that this training will also be extended to the Association of Cambodian Recruitment Agencies (ACRA).

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, Phnom Penh
Tel.: +85523220817
Email

Mr Max Tunon
GMS TRIANGLE Senior Programme Officer/Project Coordinator, Bangkok
Tel.: +66869879430
Email