KAMPONG CHHNANG, Cambodia (Xinhua): Cambodia's Labour Minister Ith Samheng said here on Thursday (June 8) that some 1.3 million Cambodians have been working abroad, sending some US$2.7 billion in remittance back to their families in 2022.
The minister disclosed the figures during a get-together with more than 18,000 garment factory workers in central Kampong Chhnang province.
He said that about 1.2 million migrant labourers have been working in Thailand, 49,000 in South Korea, 22,000 in Malaysia, 19,000 in Japan, and some others in Singapore, China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Saudi Arabia.
"Migrant workers have brought not only remittances to their family members, but also expertise and experience for national development when they return home," Samheng said.
Cambodian workers in Thailand and Malaysia make a monthly minimum wage of $400 and $300, respectively, he said, adding that those in South Korea and Japan earn $1,500 and $1,400 per month, respectively.