It has been four months, yet 30 Cambodian workers remain in Saudi Arabia, as they continue to push the Cambodian government to expedite the process of repatriation, according to one of the workers’ Facebook post on July 24, 2024.

In April, the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (MLVT) said it would cooperate with the Cambodian embassy in Egypt to rescue and repatriate 78 workers who were allegedly forced to work long hours and with little food in Saudi Arabia.

Em Bopha, 44, who claimed that she was a victim in Saudi Arabia, told CamboJA News on July 24, 2024 that from April 19 until now, there has been no clear solution from the ministry. She described their situation as being difficult as they are not allowed to go anywhere, “not even outside the room”. They are also spending “a lot of money” to buy things for themselves.

Bopha said they went to Saudi Arabia for work through Cambodian firm Fatina Manpower Co Ltd. Twenty six of them are still in Jeddah city.

She said it has become difficult for her group when they fall sick due to malnutrition and the Internet being cut off, as they cannot communicate with their family in Cambodia.

“Because the Wi-Fi was disconnected, I am begging for money from my family in Cambodia to buy [data],” Bopha said, adding that she spent 125,000 riel to 135,000 riel to buy the internet to use ,“ she said. 

While urging the embassy to expedite their repatriation, she said her family owed $3,000 to private banks and lived in a rented house.

“When I came to work in Saudi Arabia I thought it was a good job and never thought that I would have to work up to 16 hours a day. I also thought that I could earn a lot of money to pay off my debts and my children’s studies, but this is opposite of what I thought,” Bopha said.

Sim Chansamphos, who is Bopha’s husband, expressed dissatisfaction with MLVT’s delayed action in bringing his wife and other workers home.

The MLVT promised to send the workers back three to four months ago, but so far there has been no solution. He contacted the ministry several times to ask about the issue, but was told to wait for a solution. “The ministry does not pick up my calls anymore,” Chansamphos said.

Similarly, Mo Rous, 38, a single mother with two children, aged 17 and four, imagined that when she came to work, she would be able to earn enough to support her children, instead she has become a migrant victim in Saudi Arabia.

She was worried that her two children do not have enough money in Cambodia. Although her eldest daughter went to 12th grade, her children have since dropped out of school as they lacked money to continue their studies.

“I do not have a family to depend on. I sent my children to someone else to look after, but now they are not studying,” Rous said.

“My [second] child will finish 12th grade this year but no longer have money to go to school. I hoped to come here [Saudi Arabia] to earn money for my children so that they can study,“ she added.

She urged the government to expedite their return home so that she can see her two children in their hometown and earn money to pay off the $1,000 bank loan. 

Sun Malin, women’s and children’s rights section head at Adhoc, who has been monitoring the Cambodian-Saudi Arabia migrant workers’ case, urged the government, especially the MLVT to hasten the repatriation process so that they are not subjected to further problems.

Before going abroad, the people did not have money or income to support their family, children’s education and health expenses, and had to pay off bank loans. Faced with financial problems and poverty, they chose to migrate. 

When they encounter problems, the government and relevant ministries bear the biggest burden.

“What I know is that the plane ticket fare for more than 20 people is a burden but I think it is not much for the government,” she said, urging the government to expedite repatriation of the migrant workers to Cambodia.

Ministry spokesperson Katta Orn told CamboJA News that 78 Cambodian workers in Saudi Arabia have returned to Cambodia while 30 are waiting to return. They are working diligently to facilitate their return to Cambodia.

“Officials and stakeholders have made great efforts to facilitate their return but we also have to comply with the procedures including Saudi Arabia’s,” Katta said.

He added that the ministry has taken good care of the workers, including providing accommodation and food, as well as looking after their physical and mental health.

Regarding the legal action against Fatina Manpower, Katta said,” The ministry was investigating the company. At the end of the investigation, an action will be taken if the company and stakeholders are at fault.”