Bangkok: Confirming that 19,000 Cambodian workers will return to their country, affecting only some employers. The Director-General of the Department of Employment revealed that 19,000 Cambodian workers have returned to their country. Some employers have been affected and are preparing to discuss assistance for businesses in finding replacement workers.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, revealed that there were originally approximately 500,000 Cambodian workers working in Thailand. A recent nationwide survey found approximately 19,000 Cambodian workers returning to their country. The report that there are over 200,000 Cambodians waiting to leave the country includes all types of Cambodians, including tourists, students, and those illegally entering the country to work. However, only 19,000 are direct workers.

In addition, some employers have been affected by the impact of hiring more than half of Cambodian workers who have all requested to return home. These workers are mostly in construction and industrial areas in Nakhon Ratchasima and Samut Sakhon provinces. However, employers have spoken with their employees, who have stated that they would like to temporarily return to their home country to see if their families have been affected and to return to work as usual. Some employers are waiting, while others are eager to find new workers to replace them.

The Director-General of the Department of Employment also stated that Labor Minister Pongkawin Juangroongruangkit has urgently ordered assistance for employers. This afternoon, a meeting will be held with security officials regarding measures to find replacement workers. Discussions will be held to determine the extent of the new workers’ need and whether they will be used to replace all or only certain businesses. Once a conclusion is reached, it will be submitted to the Minister for acknowledgement and subsequently to the Ministry of Labor’s Policy Committee.