"Research Shows High Rates of Depression, Stress Among Cambodian Migrant Workers", 12 October 2020

Close to a third of Cambodian migrant workers surveyed in Thailand reported high levels of stress, depression and a low quality of life.

The research, which was released by a team of local and international academics …, was conducted among 1,200 Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand’s Sa Keo and Surin provinces, both of which house at least 25,000 Cambodian workers …

“Mental health problems were reported among migrant workers. The prevalence of moderate to high perceived stress was 67.96 percent, and symptoms of depression was 69.69 percent," the research states, adding that it was higher than a comparable study of low-skilled workers in Europe…

While the survey was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, Pall Chamroen, one of the researchers, said the findings can provide some insight into the conditions and mental health state of migrant workers stuck in Thailand…

"For some workers, their employers only provide a basic amount of wood or materials that they use to build a hut for themselves, which is only covered to protect them from wind and rain,” he said…

Nheb Da, a migrant worker working in Thailand for more than six years, said he, his wife and 19-year-old daughter had all lost their jobs in recent months, putting them under severe financial stress.

… Loeng Sophon, a project officer at labor rights group Central, who is based in Thailand, said that most Cambodian migrant workers are worried about job stability, especially given the economic uncertainty around the pandemic…