Background
On February 18, 2026, the Government of Japan granted approximately US$1 million to the International Labour Organization (ILO) to strengthen response mechanisms promoting decent work and support the livelihoods of returned migrant workers in Cambodia affected by border conflicts.
The grant forms part of a project executed by the ILO in partnership with Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training and supported by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Scope of Application
The project targets returned migrant workers affected by border disputes, aiming to improve their livelihood and re-integration into local economies. It covers key provinces with high numbers of returning labor migrants, including Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, and Preah Vihear.
Project activities include establishing migrant worker resource centers, labor market consultations, skills development, and stakeholder engagement at commune and district levels.
Key Provisions or Decisions
- Establishment of three new resource centers for migrant workers in targeted provinces to provide counseling, outreach, data collection, and legal assistance.
- Engagement with employers, labor organizations, and vocational sectors through consultations and labor fairs at the commune and district levels.
- Awareness-raising campaigns focused on labor-intensive sectors such as garment, construction, and manufacturing.
- Delivery of short-term training courses, recognition of prior learning (RPL), job search assistance, entrepreneurship training, and strengthening of the national labor coordination system.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
This project supports a more stable and skilled labor force by facilitating the re-integration of returned migrant workers. Businesses in labor-intensive industries may benefit from improved availability of trained workers, while compliance with labor rights and decent work principles may be enhanced through strengthened institutional frameworks.
Official Source
Ministry of Women’s Affairs Facebook Post, February 19, 2026
