Labour migration

ILO supports Cambodia’s new policy and guidelines for enhanced labour migration governance and access to justice

On International Migrants Day, the Government of Cambodia launches Policy on Labour Migration and Dispute Resolution Guidelines for Resolving Migrant Worker Grievances.

Press release | 18 December 2018
PHNOM PENH (ILO news) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) welcomes the launch of two important pieces of guidance and policy aimed to improve labour migration governance and the protection of Cambodian migrant workers.

Released to coincide with International Migrants Day on 18 December, the publications provide the Royal Government of Cambodia and its stakeholders with clearer guidance on labour migration governance, and procedures and processes for increasing migrant workers’ access to justice.

The first, the Policy on Labour Migration for Cambodia 2019-2023 details a holistic approach to labour migration management. The second, Dispute Resolution Guidelines for Resolving Migrant Worker Grievances clarifies the process for resolving migrant workers grievances drawing from Prakas no.249 on the Complaint Receiving Mechanism for Migrant Workers.

Through the TRIANGLE in ASEAN programme, the ILO provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MOLVT) in developing these documents.

The adoption of the third Labour Migration Policy cements the Royal Government of Cambodia’s commitment to a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to labour migration. Such an approach will allow Cambodia to reap the maximum benefits from the movement off workers across the region. Coupling the Labour Migration Policy with the Dispute Resolution Guidelines ensures that migrant workers’ individual experiences remain central to the governance of this phenomenon."

Anna Engblom, Senior Programme Manager, TRIANGLE in ASEAN, ILO
The Policy on Labour Migration for Cambodia 2019-2023 outlines the Government’s framework for developing a sustainable, effective, and rights-based governance system for labour migration in Cambodia. The Policy places emphasis on skills recognition, reducing the cost of migration borne by migrant workers, strengthening support and reintegration services, increasing access to social protection programmes, and increasing the opportunities available for women to migrate through formal migration channels.

The Policy also responds to national priorities on development and emerging issues, and aligns with regional and international standards and frameworks on decent work and labour migration, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2017 ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.

The Dispute Resolution Guidelines for Resolving Migrant Worker Grievances clarifies the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders in the dispute resolution process. The Guidelines are a practical tool and reference point for labour officials, service providers and stakeholders in supporting Cambodian migrant workers through dispute resolution processes.

The Guidelines aim to ensure that all migrant workers have access to dispute resolution mechanisms, and are able to obtain protection, remedies and compensation from both employers in the country of destination, as well as recruitment agencies in Cambodia.

The effective utilization of both documents will significantly help in eliminating the cultural, financial, and structural barriers that migrant workers, especially women, face in accessing decent work opportunities. The two documents will also help increase accountability of labour migration actors and begin to address poor practices in labour migration recruitment. Improving labour migration outcomes for Cambodian migrant workers will not only benefit migrant workers, but also positively contribute to the livelihoods of their families and their communities.

The Dispute Resolution Guidelines for Resolving Migrant Worker Grievances and the Labour Policy on Labour Migration for Cambodia 2019-2023 were developed through a process of social dialogue, bringing together workers,’ employers’ and government representatives, alongside civil society.

Both publications were supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through the ILO TRIANGLE in ASEAN programme.

For more information please contact:

Veth Vorn
National Project Coordinator
TRIANGLE in ASEAN
ILO Joint Project Office Cambodia
Email: vorn@ilo.org
www.ilo.org/triangleinasean