AKP Phnom Penh, March 25, 2026 --

More than 650,000 former Cambodian migrant workers who returned from Thailand have secured employment, according to the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, as the Royal Government continues to actively promote tens of thousands of job opportunities.

Mr. Sun Mesa, spokesperson for the Ministry, provided the update during a visit to former migrant workers employed at a garment factory in Kampong Speu province on Mar. 23.

Of the over 950,000 Cambodians who returned from Thailand due to border tensions in 2025, more than 800,000 were former migrant workers. Among them, over 650,000 have found jobs, with more than 330,000 employed in the formal sector and over 320,000 in the informal sector, he said.

Following the mass repatriation, the Ministry implemented key mechanisms to secure employment for the returnees. Mr. Sun Mesa noted that these included organising over 600 job fairs and more than 1,000 mobile employment exhibitions in local communities to disseminate information on job opportunities, social security benefits, and technical and vocational training.

He added that job fairs have been held extensively in target provinces with high concentrations of returnees, such as Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, and Siem Reap, bringing companies, factories, and enterprises with labour needs directly to workers.

Mr. Sam Soeun, President of the National Labour Union of Cambodia, commended the Royal Government’s timely response in addressing the needs of returnees. He said the Ministry’s mechanisms have been highly effective in helping workers regain their income.

He noted that while many returnees lacked prior experience in the garment industry, they have shown strong commitment and performed well alongside other workers.

By K. Rithy Reak