Indonesia monitors migrant workers in Cambodia amid conflict

Bengkulu (ANTARA) - Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Abdul Kadir Karding emphasized that his office has taken necessary steps to mitigate the impact of the Thailand-Cambodia conflict on Indonesian citizens in Cambodia.

“The P2MI has taken mitigation measures regarding Indonesian workers residing in Cambodia amid the war,” he remarked in Bengkulu on Tuesday.

The minister noted that these efforts include intensive coordination with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assess the actual situation on the ground.

“We are working to identify workers who are at risk so that we can immediately evacuate them,” Karding remarked.

He stressed that the P2MI Ministry remains responsible for protecting Indonesian nationals working in Cambodia, even though many are considered illegal migrant workers due to lacking the required documentation.

“It should be noted that, in principle, the P2MI Ministry considers all Indonesians working in Cambodia as non-procedural workers because they do not have the visas required for employment,” he remarked, adding that Indonesia and Cambodia have not yet established cooperation on migrant worker placement.

The minister reiterated that the Indonesian government would not neglect the safety of these workers despite their legal status issues.

“Nevertheless, we should not apply a purely formal approach to these Indonesian workers. Regardless of the issues, it is our duty to be there for them and protect them. We have taken the necessary steps in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Ministry,” he affirmed.

According to the minister, over 80 thousand Indonesian citizens are currently working illegally in Cambodia.

“More than 100 thousand Indonesian nationals live in Cambodia, with more than 80 thousand being workers there, which is a significant number,” he concluded.