Research Reports   20

Proposed Programme of Intervention to Integrate Cambodian Returnees into the Cambodian Economy

Author(s): CDRI

Published: 03-Oct-2025
Keyword: Returnee reintegration, labour market recovery, agro-processing development, SME and entrepreneurship, economic resilience
English PDF (6)

Abstract/Summary

In response to the mass return of over 910,000 Cambodian migrant workers from Thailand in 2025, this report by CDRI and ERIA outlines a comprehensive intervention programme to address the resulting economic and social challenges. The programme proposes short-term measures such as emergency cash transfers, debt relief, public works employment, and skills certification to stabilise affected households. Medium-term strategies focus on agro-processing, SME development, industrial diversification, and infrastructure expansion to ensure sustainable reintegration. Central to the plan is the Returnee Labour Database (RLD), which facilitates job matching, social protection, and migration management. The programme aims to transform a humanitarian crisis into an opportunity for inclusive growth, job creation, and structural transformation, potentially boosting Cambodia’s GDP by nearly 10 percent over three years.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64202/sr.20.202510




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