Spokesman: 650,000 of 770,000 Returnees from Thailand Have Jobs

Spokesman: 650,000 of 770,000 Returnees from Thailand Have Jobs

PHNOM PENH, June 8, 2026 — Approximately 650,000 Cambodian migrant workers who returned from Thailand have already secured jobs in both the formal and informal sectors, according to Labour Ministry spokesman Sun Mesa.

Speaking at a press conference on preparations for the 9th National TVET Day 2026, Sun Mesa said around 770,000 Cambodian workers have returned from Thailand since border-related tensions emerged between the two countries.

Of those returnees, about 650,000 have found employment across key sectors, including industry, agro-industry, services and construction. The remaining group includes more than 20,000 children and around 5,000 elderly people aged over 60, while others have yet to decide whether to enter the workforce.

The spokesman noted that the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training launched a nationwide employment support campaign in June 2025 to help returning workers find jobs and reintegrate into the domestic labour market.

Under the programme, the ministry has been organizing job fairs, matching workers with employers and expanding technical and vocational training opportunities.

Returning workers are also being offered skills certification aimed at improving employment prospects and enabling them to access higher-paying jobs.

Sun Mesa said the ministry will continue providing job-placement services and technical training to ensure workers can secure stable employment within Cambodia.

He also urged Cambodian workers not to risk returning to Thailand through illegal channels, warning of the dangers associated with undocumented migration and irregular employment.

The government has repeatedly emphasized job creation, vocational training and workforce development as part of broader efforts to absorb returning migrant workers and strengthen the domestic labour market.