CHANTHABURI, Aug 7 (TNA) – Tens of thousands of Cambodian workers are returning home from Thailand amid widespread fear and uncertainty over rumored government actions, including the potential confiscation of land and loss of citizenship.
The mass departure follows unconfirmed reports that the Cambodian government could take action against workers who do not return by an August 10 deadline.
The rush has been particularly acute at the Ban Laem border crossing in Chanthaburi, where traffic jams stretched for up to 8 kilometers on Wednesday. More than 20,000 workers were seen waiting to cross, a significant increase from previous days. The rumors have reportedly also put pressure on families in Cambodia to urge their relatives in Thailand to return home.
The sudden exodus has left some Thai employers in the construction and manufacturing sectors, especially in Nakhon Ratchasima and Samut Sakhon provinces, struggling with labor shortages. In response, Thai Labour Minister Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit has instructed officials to quickly find replacement workers. The ministry is reportedly coordinating with security agencies to develop a plan for assessing labor demand and sourcing new workers.
A spokesperson for Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour said that over 610,000 Cambodians in Thailand had returned through various border checkpoints as of August 5. The ministry is working to provide jobs for the returnees, with tens of thousands already placed in factories and healthcare services.
Starting salaries for these jobs range from $250 to over $300 per month, which the spokesperson said is sufficient for living and supporting a family. The spokesperson added that many workers are opting to stay in Cambodia, citing better welfare benefits despite lower pay compared to jobs in Thailand. -819 (TNA)
