Cambodia and ILO Forge New Plan to Enhance Rights of Migrant Fishery Workers

The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), is moving forward with the development of a new plan to enhance the rights of migrant workers in the fishery sector across Southeast Asia. On August 5, 2026, at the Hotel Cambodiana in Phnom Penh, Mr. Seng Sakda, Secretary of State, representing His Excellency Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, presided over and led the meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Implementation of the Program on Migrant Fishery Workers' Rights in Southeast Asia, focusing on safe migration for decent work and the blue economy. The primary objectives of this Advisory Committee meeting are to review the progress achieved by the Program on Migrant Fishery Workers' Rights in Southeast Asia during 2025-2026, to review, discuss, and approve the draft work plan for 2026-2027, and to share lessons learned from the implementation of the Program on Migrant Fishery Workers' Rights among key stakeholders. Mr. Seng Sakda emphasized that the Royal Government of Cambodia has put in place numerous policies and legal instruments to protect the rights and benefits of Cambodian migrant workers going abroad. He also stated that the government is diligently implementing migration management in accordance with the provisions of various conventions and covenants of international organizations and the United Nations related to labour migration. Furthermore, the Program on Migrant Fishery Workers' Rights in Southeast Asia has already been implemented in Cambodia in two phases. Phase 1 began in August 2021 and concluded in December 2024, spanning a period of four years. Phase 2 commenced on January 1, 2025, and is scheduled to continue until December 31, 2028. This significant meeting was organized by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO). Participants included representatives from Cambodian ministries and institutions, Mr. Bryan Fornari, Head of Cooperation Section of the European Union to Cambodia, Mr. Thun Sophond, ILO Country Coordinator for Cambodia, Mr. Benjamin Harkins, ILO Technical Specialist, United Nations agencies, employer associations, the Cambodian Association of Labour Migration Agencies, trade unions, national and international NGOs, and relevant development partners, totaling 57 participants (17 women).