The International Labour Organization (ILO), under the framework of its European Union (EU) funded Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia and PROTECT programmes, has played a vital role in supporting Cambodian migrant workers returning from Thailand during the recent border conflict. More than 6,700 migrant workers coming home to Banteay Meanchey, Koh Kong, Takeo, Kampong Speu, Kampong Cham, and Siem Reap have been provided with emergency information and services, the majority of whom were women.
Tensions increased following military confrontations on the Cambodia-Thailand border in late May 2025. The situation escalated into armed conflict on 24 July 2025, triggering the return of hundreds of thousands of migrants to Cambodia.
In response to this emergency, the ILO quickly adapted its programming. Through its partnerships with six civil society organizations and trade unions, the ILO provided essential information about local employment opportunities, labour rights, and safe migration to returnees at border checkpoints. In addition, basic aid packages were provided to vulnerable migrants in border areas to meet their immediate needs.
Upon return to their communities of origin, migrants were provided with information and reintegration counselling through local volunteers who were trained and mobilized. Access to justice was supported through case management of wage claims. Longer-term reintegration was enabled through job matching services and referrals for vocational training to assist returnees with accessing new employment opportunities. Peer support for women returnees was provided through a network of migrant women, as well as psycho-social counselling and support.
Xiaoyan Qian, Director of the ILO Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia, and Lao People's Democratic Republic, reaffirmed: "During the last few months, the ILO and its partners have supported Cambodian migrant workers to obtain decent work and reintegrate sustainably into their communities of origin. Complementing the Cambodian government's assistance for returnees, these efforts have been critical to ensuring that the livelihoods and welfare of these vulnerable workers is safeguarded."
© ILO/CENTRAL
To ensure delivery of responsive assistance, a rapid needs assessment was conducted for 815 returning migrants across eight provinces of Cambodia by the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL). The findings provided a clear understanding of the immediate humanitarian needs, economic situation and future livelihood plans of returning migrant workers and their families. The assessment has been invaluable in informing the targeting, provision of services and policy advocacy, highlighting both the short and longer-term vulnerabilities for migrant households.
One of the key issues revealed by the rapid assessment was significant challenges with unpaid wages for migrants. Many returnees had wages due that they were unable to collect before leaving Thailand and were facing financial distress due to a lack of income upon returning home. Through cooperation with specialized legal assistance providers such as Legal Support for Children and Women, the ILO has been able to assist with the resolution of complaint cases for 94 migrant workers, primarily related to wages due and deception by brokers. To date, nearly US$20,000 in financial remedies has been awarded to migrants and dozens more continue to receive legal support to respond to their grievances.
Bryan Fornari, Head of Cooperation for the EU Delegation in Cambodia, said: "With the EU's financial support, the Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia and PROTECT programmes have been able to deliver responsive services to support the sustainable reintegration of migrant returnees, while continuing to address the long-term structural vulnerabilities of migrant workers headed abroad. We strongly support the work of these initiatives to ensure that Cambodian migrants are provided with end-to-end support."
