Thailand Approves Hiring 10,000 Sri Lankan Workers Amid Cambodian Exodus

Thailand is addressing a severe labor shortage caused by an exodus of Cambodian workers following a deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which resulted in at least 43 deaths and displaced over 300,000 people. To fill this gap, the Thai Cabinet has approved bringing in 10,000 workers from Sri Lanka, with over 30,000 Sri Lankan workers already registered and plans to expand recruitment to 30,000 after training. Alongside Sri Lanka, Thailand is exploring labor from countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar refugees to diversify its workforce and reduce reliance on traditional sources like Cambodia and Laos. This move comes amid Thailand’s aging population and shrinking domestic workforce, which relies on over 3 million registered foreign workers in agriculture, construction, and manufacturing sectors. The Cambodian government has supported the repatriation of its workers, offering free transport and promoting job opportunities at home, while reports of violence against Cambodians in Thailand have fueled fears and influenced the labor migration. Thailand is also implementing measures including mobilizing domestic workers like soldiers and prisoners, registering undocumented workers, and encouraging technological upgrades to mitigate future labor shortages.