Illegal Cambodian migrant workers detained in Thailand

The Cambodian Embassy in Thailand is cooperating with local authorities to facilitate documentation and legal assistance for Cambodian migrant workers after 259 Cambodians were detained when entering Thailand for not having proper documents.

Katta Orn, Spokesman of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, said on Saturday that 256,213 foreign workers have been detained by Thai authorities to check that they are documented correctly to work legally in Thailand. Their detention is part of the annual 120-day campaign by Thai authorities to check up on foreign workers, and affects people from Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and other countries.

He said that according to the Thai Ministry of Labour, 259 Cambodians have been detained for entering Thailand without proper documents.

He added that the Cambodian Embassy in Thailand is monitoring progress of the check up on foreigners, and is cooperating with the Thai side to facilitate documentation and legal assistance to Cambodia citizens.

Orn added that the Ministry strongly urges all Cambodians wishing to go to work abroad –especially in Thailand – to work legally and only through a private recruitment agency registered with the Ministry of Labour.

During the 120-day plan to arrest and investigate illegal workers in Thailand, a total of 256,213 migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia have been detained between June 5 and September 19, according to the Thai Ministry of Labour.

Thailand’s illegal workforce by country includes: Myanmar with 193,430 workers, Cambodia with 39,736, Laos with 15,281, Vietnam with 162, and 7,604 workers from other countries.