By Raksmey VA | Country Representative - Cambodia
With the current border tension between Cambodia and Thailand, the Cambodian government publicly encouraged migrant workers to return home amid rising tension and risk of discrimination in Thailand. Our safe shelter team responded by working with local authorities and stakeholders to prepare for a potential large-scale return.
We are ready to provide emergency shelter, psychosocial support, and referrals to programs to help returnees reintegrate safely.
Case Study:
Ms. Sros, a 25-year-old woman from a poor family in Banteay Meanchey Province, migrated to Thailand in April 2024 to support her elderly parents and younger brother. Lured by the promise of decent wages, she began working on a farm in Sa Kaeo Province. The employer, known only by the nickname Vhim Chanchhay, had a reputation for exploiting Cambodian women through misleading promises and abuse.
Ms. Sros worked long hours under very difficult, painful, and exploitative conditions, and was later joined by her brother, Rin. Despite promises of fair wages, they were underpaid, verbally abused, physically assaulted, and threatened by the employer and his sons. Beginning in February 2025, Ms. Sros stopped receiving her salary entirely.
As undocumented workers with no support network in Thailand, they were afraid and felt trapped. With timely intervention from the Cambodian Women’s Crisis Center, both Ms. Sros and her brother were safely rescued, brought home, and connected to essential support services, including counseling, safe shelter, and legal assistance. A formal complaint was filed with the Thai Department of Labor, demanding accountability and compensation for unpaid wages.
“Without CWCC and the support from Lotus Outreach, my brother and I would still be suffering.
I never imagined we would escape. Thank you for giving us hope again. I am deeply grateful to
CWCC and the donor, Lotus Outreach, for supporting me and my brother.” Ms. Sros said.
This case is a powerful example of how access to safe shelter, protection services, can restore dignity, safety, and justice for vulnerable migrants.
On May 2, 2025, CWCC’s provincial coordinator received a notification from a self-help group member about the siblings’ situation. CWCC immediately reached out to the Labour Protection Network (LPN) in Thailand to coordinate a rescue operation. With cooperation from LPN, CWCC staff helped Ms. Sros cross the border and identify the farm location.
After locating the site, CWCC assisted her in filing a formal complaint with Thai authorities for unpaid wages totaling approximately 40,000 Baht. Meanwhile, a plan was developed to help her brother escape. Despite being physically assaulted by the employer, her brother managed to flee into nearby woods, where the rescue team was waiting. He was safely transported back to Cambodia, and CWCC has since provided both siblings with temporary shelter, trauma counseling, and follow-up support.
A second complaint is being prepared for her brother.
This life saving intervention would not have been possible without the dedicated support of Lotus Outreach, whose funding allowed CWCC to provide emergency counselling, shelter, and protection services to migrant workers in crisis. The case of Ms. Sros and her brother not only highlights the urgent need for cross border cooperation and support for trafficked and exploited workers, but also affirms the importance of donor supported programs that respond quickly and compassionately to survivors’ needs.
We deeply appreciate your support for the Counseling Program. Your generosity makes a
meaningful difference in the lives of survivors who have found safety and support at our shelter.
Links:
By Raksmey VA | Country Representative - Cambodia
By Raksmey VA | Country Representative - Cambodia
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