Phnom Penh (FN), March 20 – On Monday the Minister of Labor, Ith Somheng, sent a message to traffickers who convince Cambodian laborers to illegally work in Thailand.

The statement was made after the minister met with Koichiro Kakee, the Assistant Secretary to the Japanese Minister in charge of land, infrastructure, transportation, and tourism at the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training.

Due to the increasing of monthly wage for Cambodian laborers in Thailand, the number of migrants has increased dramatically.

“The ministry is working to prevent human and labor trafficking through traffickers and encourage cooperation with Thai authorities to prosecute those who persuade Cambodian laborers to work illegally in Thailand in all forms to reduce risks for all Cambodia laborers,” stated the minister of Labor.

The Cambodian government is promoting the legitimacy and protection of Cambodian laborers and is currently working with the Thai government to create ways for Cambodian workers to acquire a pink card, which is a legitimate working permit.

The government will also be providing passport and national identity cards for all the workers. In the meantime, the minister has urged workers to avoid illegal migration as they will face many risks including detainment.

“The increasing of monthly wage in Thailand does not aim to attract Cambodian laborers; it is way to promote the economic growth and development of Thailand,” the minister reiterated.
=FRESH NEWS