Cambodia bans sending workers abroad for fishing and mining jobs

The restriction targets two sectors, not overseas work generally

Notice No. 27/26 covers three stages of the recruitment chain: advertising jobs, recruiting workers and arranging their departure overseas. Its scope is employment in fishing and at mining sites outside Cambodia.

The difference matters because the notice does not shut down Cambodia’s entire overseas employment system. A job in another industry has to be assessed under the rules that apply to that destination and recruitment channel; it should not be regarded as prohibited simply because the work is outside Cambodia.

For recruiters and intermediaries, the instruction is direct: these fishing and mining jobs are not to be advertised, recruited for or used to send Cambodian workers abroad. For a jobseeker, the actual occupation therefore matters as much as the destination country or the name of the recruiter.

For practical context, see Cambodia economy and finance. This development also connects with Cambodia reported 4,676 jobs across four northeast provinces.

Fishing recruitment had already been restricted in practice

The ministry says the sectors covered by the new notice expose workers to elevated risks involving safety, health, working conditions, rights abuses and labour exploitation. These concerns are particularly well documented in the fishing sector.

A 2024 International Labour Organization analysis prepared in partnership with the Cambodian labour ministry noted that private recruitment agencies had been told as far back as 2007 not to recruit workers for fishing jobs. The ILO described that earlier approach as a de facto policy rather than a formal ban on Cambodian migrants themselves, and said it had pushed fishers outside parts of the regular labour-migration framework.

Notice No. 27/26 uses broader and clearer language. It expressly covers advertising, recruitment and sending, while the ministry’s public warning tells citizens not to leave for these jobs by alternative or informal means either.

Jobseekers should verify the occupation before using any recruiter

A person considering an overseas offer should check what the work actually involves before handing over documents or fees. A vacancy described under a vague job title may still fall within the prohibition if the real assignment is on a fishing vessel, in fishing operations or at a mining site.

Promises that a broker can arrange the same job through a different route should be treated with particular caution. The notice is aimed at the underlying sector and recruitment activity, not merely at one named agency or one destination.

The Ministry of Labour lists hotline 1297 and its migrant-worker communication channel for enquiries and reports. Anyone who has already signed a contract, paid money or handed over documents may need case-specific guidance from the competent authority, because the notice sets the general prohibition but does not by itself resolve every contractual or payment issue.