"Ministry launches code of ethics to protect 1.2M migrant workers", 29 January 2020

The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training … launched a code of ethics for private recruitment agencies to follow in order to better protect migrant workers.

Consisting of 12 articles, the code was drafted by the Association of Cambodian Recruitment Agencies (Acra) and the Manpower Association of Cambodia (MAC) with the ministry’s support…

… Minister Ith Sam Heng said during the event that the ministry was ready to support the recruitment agencies to implement the code of ethics in an effective manner to promote and protect the rights of all migrant workers.

“This code of ethics must be put in place beginning with the agencies themselves, who must constantly follow it and care about the rights of migrant workers,” he said…

The code of ethics says all private recruitment agencies must respect national and international laws as a basis, be responsible and follow the code when recruiting, training, managing and sending migrant workers abroad to ensure their safety and the protection of their rights…

Although this code of ethics does not provide for any punishment, MAC president Orn Bunhak said it would contribute to strengthening all agencies before the law.

“In the past, some recruitment agencies did not duly implement any code when sending migrant workers abroad…

Bridge JC Co Ltd CEO Mar Chansim, who sends workers to Japan, said the code can play a role in supporting accountable and competitive work by the agencies in line with the law…

Anna Engblom, the International Labour Organisation’s senior manager for the Triangle Programme in the Asean region, said it is still too costly for many migrant workers to find work aboard…