Exodus of Cambodian workers affects Thailand's businesses

BANGKOK, June 18 (TNA) - The exodus of Cambodian workers is affecting businesses which rely on migrant laborers in Thailand, including those on Samet Island off Rayong Province in the Thai East. Anuchida Chinsiraprapha, Chair of Rayong's Chamber of Commerce, said on Wednesday despite attempts of Thai authorities to allay concerns of migrant workers over a rumour on a planned crackdown by Thai authorities, most of them remained worried and their massive departure for their home country is affecting local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Anuchida cited, as an example, that all 500 Cambodian workers on the Samet Island have already left local businesses, namely shops, restaurants and hotels, and there are insufficient laborers in the local service sector consequently. Anuchida acknowledged that the labor shortage is also seriously affecting the local agricultural sector, where there are insufficient laborers to collect fruits in local orchards and to tap latex in local rubber plantations. The provincial chamber of commerce chair warned that the problem would expand to local fishery and Para rubber wood industries. However, some Cambodian workers are returning to Pong Nam Ron and Soi Dao Districts of adjacent Chantaburi Province. Some other Cambodian workers had told their Thai employers that they would be back after preparing their documents to seek legal immigration into Thailand. The Thai-Cambodian Border Trade & Tourism Association in Chantaburi predicted, meanwhile, that more Cambodian workers should soon return to Thailand, where wages are at least three times higher than those in Cambodia. (TNA)