Illustrative image (Source: Reuters) Phnom Penh (VNA) – Officials from Cambodia,Laos and Myanmar gathered at a two-day interior ministerial-level meeting inSeam Reap province, discussing measures to protect migrant workers from eachnation.
Cambodian Minister of Interior Sar Kheng said on October 31 after the meetingconcluded that the three countries would raise the issue with Thailand, whichreceives the most migrant workers in the region.
The three countries are neighbours who have similar cultures and share borderswith Thailand, he said, adding their residents have moved to Thailand forworking, and some of them have faced difficulties throughout their journey,from the day they leave for work until they return.
He stressed citizens from each country have the right to find a job overseas,and each government has an obligation to protect them through cooperation withthe destination nations.
To this end, it was necessary for the three countries to pool initiativesbefore consulting Thailand about the issue.
Meanwhile, Phengsavanh Thipphavongxay, head of the Secretariat of the NationalCommittee on Anti-Trafficking in Persons under the Lao Ministry of PublicSecurity, said the Lao Government is facing the issue of cross-bordermigration, especially there is a sharp increase in the number of Lao workers inThailand.
Kristin Parco, head of mission at the International Organisation for Migration(IOM) in Cambodia, said the trilateral meeting was vital for the threecountries to address various issues, comprising human trafficking andchallenges in the fishing industry.
The IOM will continue facilitating negotiations for competent sides on theissue, she added./.
VNA
