PHNOM PENH: Japan has provided funding for the “Promoting Employment of Returning Migrant Workers Affected by the Border Conflict” project. Japanese ambassador Ueno Atsushi and Xiaoyan Qian, director of the ILO Country Office for Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, signed a funding agreement on Wednesday (Feb 18), at the Japanese embassy.
The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training explained that it will work with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to lead the 24-month project, which has received approximately US$1 million in financial support from the Japanese foreign ministry.
The project aims to help returning migrant workers secure decent jobs and reintegrate into the local economy through an integrated service package, including protection, employment and skills services.
Labour minister Heng Sour witnessed the signing. He noted that the return of Cambodian workers requires a coordinated national-level response.
“This project aligns with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s broader human capital development strategy and contributes to long-term labour market development. It will strengthen Cambodia’s capacity to connect returning workers to skills development, employment services and productive livelihoods, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity,” he said.
Ueno explained that Japan is proud to support Cambodia and the ILO in addressing the urgent needs of returning workers, reflecting the Japanese government’s commitment to human security and regional stability.
“The project reaffirms the long-standing partnership between Japan and Cambodia, as well as Japan’s support for an inclusive and resilient labour market,” he said.
ILO country director Qian expressed her appreciation for Japan’s support in restoring dignity, livelihoods and access to decent work for returning workers. She noted that the project strengthens national reintegration systems by linking skills recognition, job matching and social protection, ensuring that former migrant workers are effectively supported.
Key project activities include establishing three new Migrant Worker Resource Centres in provinces with high numbers of returning workers — Oddar Meanchey, Pursat and Preah Vihear — to provide counselling, outreach, data collection and legal assistance.
The project will also support employment responses through consultations with employers and workers’ organisations, commune-level job fairs and targeted awareness campaigns, particularly in labour-intensive sectors such as garment production, construction and manufacturing.
Demand-driven upskilling and reskilling will also be implemented through short training courses, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), employability training, entrepreneurship development and strengthening national systems to ensure sustainable reintegration into decent work.
Sour also expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for supporting the project.
He also thanked the ILO for its long-standing cooperation to ensure that returning workers are not only reintegrated but also empowered to build stable, productive and dignified futures in their homeland.
The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict forced the return of around 950,000 Cambodians from Thailand.
According to the labour ministry, several policy responses were initiated and launched to address the immediate challenges.
By Jan 16, it estimated that over 640,000 of the returned workers have secured employment across both the formal and informal economies, particularly in agriculture, industry and construction. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
