Cambodian trade unions meet with migrant workers during a study tour of Thailand in November 2013 In November 2013 a study tour of Thailand by the Cambodian Trade Union Committee on Migration (CTUC-M) and Thai trade unions was held. Along with the NGO Foundation for AIDS Rights (FAR), CTUC-M members visited Cambodian communities working in Rayong in the fishing and manufacturing industries.

The study tour culminated in the signing of an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to protect migrant worker’s rights. The MOU promotes a rights-based approach to labour migration and the protection, education and organizing of migrant workers. The MOU is guided by the ACTRAV trade union manual, ‘In Search of Decent Work: Migrant Workers’ Rights’, as well as key ILO conventions concerning migrant workers’ rights. The MOU outlines the parties’ commitment to initiate pre-departure training on basic labour rights and Thai culture in Cambodia, and orientation training on occupational safety and health (OSH) and helpline and support centre contact details in Thailand; to address OSH in key sectors dominated by migrant workers, including domestic work, fishing and agriculture; in collaboration with recruitment associations, to develop a model employment contract; and to lobby the Thai government to provide Khmer translation services and visual advocacy materials.