Shanghai:Cambodia and T¼rkiye have engaged in discussions to enhance their bilateral cooperation in labor affairs, skill development, and the mobility of skilled workers during a high-level ministerial meeting.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Cambodian Minister of Labour and Vocational Training H.E. Heng Sour met with T¼rkiye's Minister of Labour and Social Security, H.E. Dr. Vedat Isikhan, on September 23. The meeting took place on the sidelines of an event in Shanghai, China.

The talks centered on strategic labor priorities, including finding mechanisms for labor mobility and skills development to meet market demands, while ensuring the protection of migrant workers' rights and welfare. This meeting followed up on commitments from the 4th session of the Cambodia-T¼rkiye Joint Economic Commission (JEC) held in Ankara in November 2025, which highlighted labor migration management, skill recognition, and social security as areas of mutual interest.

H.E. Heng Sour praised T¼rkiye for initiating these discussions and expressed appreciation for Ankara's interest in employing skilled Cambodian workers, particularly in technical fields such as mechanical engineering. He pointed out Cambodia's young workforce and its strong Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) infrastructure, indicating the country's capability to provide qualified personnel for the manufacturing and engineering sectors.

The Cambodian Minister underscored the importance of ethical recruitment practices, advocating for safe, orderly, and legal migration channels. He emphasized the need for transparent cost structures, binding contracts, fair compensation, safe living conditions, occupational health standards, comprehensive insurance coverage, and reliable repatriation frameworks.

Both ministers agreed to continue a close dialogue to formalize bilateral mechanisms, enhance cooperation in agro-processing and labor recruitment, and explore additional opportunities for sectoral partnerships.