Cambodia continues diplomatic efforts to assist migrant workers

Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Ith Sam Heng attends the transferring ceremony of the Colombo Process Presidency organized by Nepal via video conference on April 20. Ministry of Labour

Cambodia will continue to actively participate in the implementation of the Colombo Process to promote the rights and protect the interests of migrant workers during and after the Covid-19 crisis.

"The Colombo Process is a process of regional consultations on the management of occupations, employment and labour forces with overseas employment contracts for sending countries workers in Asia," said Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Ith Sam Heng.

The mechanism was established in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2003 and aims to provide a forum for sending countries in Asia to share their hands-on experience in managing foreign labour, consulting on issues that migrant workers in sending countries and target countries have faced.

These countries can suggest practical solutions to protect the well-being of migrant workers.

At the transferring ceremony of the Colombo Process Presidency organized by Nepal via video conference on April 20, Sam Heng stated that the mechanism had assisted Cambodia in protecting the interests of migrant workers through the establishment of policy frameworks, regulations and consensus on international conventions.

He added that this mechanism was used in addition to participation in forums both bilateral and multilateral, ASEAN, regional and global frameworks to ensure protection for migrant workers.

According to Sam Heng, migrant workers contribute to Cambodia’s national economic growth by sending more than $2 billion a year home to their families, contributing to the economic development of families, communities and society.

The migrant workers benefitted as well by gaining new knowledge, work experience, technical skills and soft skills, which would provide a foundation for them to build on for the future when they return to Cambodia.

To date, the Colombo Process has a total of 12 member countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam – and a number of relevant international organizations have participated as observers.

Contact author: Nov Sivutha

MOST VIEWED

Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO
Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in
Ream base allegations must end, urges official
A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical
Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing
To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable
CP denied registration documents by ministry
The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do
Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit
Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former
After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024
The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.