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| Families of Cambodian migrant workers wait at the Thai border [image credit: the guardian] |
The number of Khmers crossing the border to
Thailand in search of higher pay has caused a labour shortage in a
Cambodian border province which is struggling to find workers for its
farms.
Meas Loeun, a leader of the Momean Moy community in Pailin, claims
the province is short of workers during the corn and cassava harvesting
season this year partly because higher wages in Thailand have drawn
workers over the border.
"The price of corn and cassava is suitable in the market, but the
fact is that there is a shortage of workers," Mr Meas told the Phnom Penh Post.
"We're really lacking workers because most of them went to Thailand."
Pailin borders Chanthaburi province of Thailand.
Daily wages for a worker on corn and cassava farms in Cambodia are between 25,000 and 30,000 riel (188-225 baht).
Some farmers are demanding a wage increase, Mr Meas added.
Cambodia's havest season begins in October and this year 20 to 30% of crops have been harvested.
Mr Meas said the community could not hire workers from other
provinces to work in Pailin because their preference was to work in
Thailand.
"We went to Kampong Chham province, but workers there have also gone to Thailand," he said.
Pailin Deputy Governor Koet Sothea said the number of crops being
harvested at the same time was another problem contributing to the
labour shortage.
"Actually, the major shortage of workers for the corn harvest is
because this season, farmers are also harvesting cassava and rice at the
same time," he said.
Thailand will increase the minimum daily wage to 300 baht in all
provinces in January next year. Legal foreign labourers are eligible for
the rate hike.
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