Remittances sent back to the Kingdom by Cambodian workers abroad increased to approximately $2.95 billion in 2024, with about 1.38 million Cambodians working overseas.

A February 28 statement from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training noted that the ministry found work opportunities for 44,862 people abroad, including 17,270 women. In the same year, 18,561 Cambodians (including 6,934 women) returned home.

The ministry reported small increases in Cambodians working abroad, from approximately 1.35 million in 2023 to around 1.38 million in 2024, while remittances returned to the Kingdom rose from $2.94 billion in 2023 to about $2.95 billion in 2024.

One former overseas worker, a 40 year old man, shared that he worked in a chicken slaughterhouse in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, for about 11 years through a legal company.

Currently residing in Takeo province, he confirmed that his working conditions in the factory were good, including regular salary payments and health care.

However, he mentioned that his work contract had expired about two months ago, so he returned to his homeland.

“The workplace in the factory was just fine. The work was easier than in Cambodia. I could save money and never lost any salary. But I don’t know how it is elsewhere. When I worked in Thailand, I had enough money to buy paddy fields and land, and pay for my children's education,” he said.

He expressed his intention to continue working in Thailand, but his two children have urged him not to return to work immediately.

They wanted some time with their father, as he had been away working abroad since they were young.

The ministry also claimed that it continues to strengthen the management of labour migration with safety, quality and efficiency.

Additionally, it supports and protects the rights and benefits of Cambodian migrant workers. This includes signing memorandums of understanding (MoU) with 8 banks.

The MoUs facilitate access to official loans, reducing interest rates for migrant workers from 18% to 8.5% annually or 0.71% monthly.

This aims to provide financial stability for migrant workers’ families and reduce financial stress. The ministry has also established a Telegram group to support them.

It has also set maximum service fees for labour migration to Thailand at $500 and to $5,000 for Japan, as well as arranged bilateral meetings about sending Cambodian workers to the two countries.

Additionally, the ministry has collaborated with Thai authorities to reduce the cost of applying for a new work visa from 2,000 baht (around $58) and the cost of renewing work visas from 1,900 baht to 500 baht for a four-year period, from November 2023 to November 2027, to assist Cambodian workers who intend to work or are working in Thailand.

The ministry also works closely with the Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Interior.

This cooperation led to the inspections of 4,652 foreign labour enterprises to reduce human trafficking and fraud in the labor migration process.

In addition, it has prepared guidelines for foreign workers coming to Cambodia, available in six languages: Khmer, English, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi and Bengali, which have been distributed to relevant embassies for public awareness.

The ministry is also continuing to enhance its management practices by promoting awareness and understanding of legal labour procedures for foreign workers in Cambodia.

It has signed agreements with foreign labour enterprises and institutions to ensure compliance, with penalties imposed on those using illegal foreign labour.