Latest news with #migrantworkers
The Guardian
an hour ago
- Business
- The Guardian
‘There's no work now, just debt': Cambodian garment workers face precarious future as US tariffs loom
Tens of thousands of Cambodian migrant workers who have fled Thailand since border tensions began were already facing an uncertain future. Now, as they re-enter a precarious job market braced for US tariffs, they are struggling to find work. A 36% export tax imposed on Cambodia by US President Donald Trump is due to come into effect on 1 August. Trade talks between the US and Cambodia resumed after a ceasefire was agreed with Thailand after five days of border fighting, but on the eve of the deadline for setting rates no new deal had been agreed. The tariff is likely to put hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk, particularly in Cambodia's garment, footwear and travel goods (GFT) sector – an industry that employs a million people, mostly women, according to the UN, and underpins the country's formal economy. Tariffs are border taxes charged on the import of goods from foreign countries. Importers pay them upon entry to the customs agency of the country or bloc that levies them. The taxes are typically charged as a percentage of a product's value. For example, a tariff of 10% on a £100 product would carry a £10 charge at the point it is brought into the country. As well as finished goods, tariffs are levied on components and raw materials, pushing up the costs to manufacturers significantly; particularly in a world of complex supply chains where borders are crossed many times. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, parts such as engines, transmissions, and other car components can cross the US-Canada and US-Mexico borders up to seven or eight times. Serving as a barrier to trade, tariffs raise the price of an imported product for businesses and consumers. They provide an incentive to buy a domestic tariff-free equivalent, where possible. Countries can also use non-tariff barriers to trade, including import quotas, licences and permits, regulations, safety standards and border checks. The introduction of tariffs by one country can often collapse into a cycle of retaliation, or even a full-blown trade war. They are often used alongside other policy tools as a means of negotiation between nations, influencing far more than just economic outcomes. Richard Partington 'We are talking about a substantial loss,' says Massimiliano Tropeano, a garment sector consultant and member of EuroCham Cambodia. 'Factories supplying American brands will be substantially affected, with very little room to absorb the 36% added costs.' He believes that up to 150,000 GFT jobs could be lost. Cambodia's dependence on the US market is deep. The US is the largest single-country buyer of GFT goods – in 2024, it accounted for more than $5.2bn (£39bn), or 38.5% of Cambodia's GFT total export revenue. Cambodia exported $12.7bn in goods to the US, while importing just under $322m – a trade surplus that put it in the crosshairs of Trump's revived tariff campaign. GFT goods made up more than half of those exports. Mu Sochua, an exiled Cambodian opposition politician and rights activist, says: 'About 360,000 manufacturing workers [across all sectors] in Cambodia are directly dependent on US demand, many of whom risk losing their jobs if the tariffs remain in place.' She adds that with women making up more than 75% of the garment sector's workforce, they will bear the brunt – with knock-on effects for entire households. Industry observers warn the pressure will be felt most acutely by factory workers already stretched by long hours, minimal protections and stagnant pay. Hul Voeung and Touch Samnang, a middle-aged Khmer couple who migrated to Thailand before the pandemic in search of better pay, recently returned to Cambodia after struggling to find jobs last year. Living in a cramped one-room home on the edge of the capital, Phnom Penh, the couple are struggling to stay afloat, sending most of their earnings to their children, who live with grandparents in their home province. Voeung now runs a noodle stand, while Samnang has picked up work at a small garment factory. But at over 40, she is not formally registered – a tactic used in some subcontractor factories to avoid paying worker benefits – and makes the minimum wage of $208 a month working 14-hour shifts. 'Once the US tariffs are enacted, it's going to be very difficult for us at the factory, because there may be no more work,' she says. 'I've already seen the bigger factories cutting back, closing at 4pm, with no overtime.' Nearby competitors such as Vietnam and Indonesia have struck deals for 20% and 19% tariffs respectively, offering potential reshoring opportunities for manufacturers. Their extra advantage, according to Tropeano, lies in homegrown mills that reduce reliance on Chinese fabrics – something Cambodia lacks. US officials have accused Chinese companies – reported to own as much as 90% of Cambodia's garment factories – of using the country as a trans-shipment hub to sidestep existing tariffs. Tropeano believes there is a strong possibility the 36% tariff will stick, due to Cambodia's heavy reliance on Chinese suppliers. The result, he estimates, could be a 20% drop in exports by next year. A report by Better Factories Cambodia in June found that nearly half of 203 GFT goods factories surveyed were facing order uncertainty beyond the next three months due to the looming tariffs. Fifteen per cent reported no confirmed orders, and almost half were unsure of their operational capacity. On the factory floor, the pressure is palpable. At Trax Apparel in Phnom Penh, which exports 20% of its clothes to the US, Yorn Yeut, a union leader, says workers are anxious and echoes Samnang's point that small or subcontracted factories with fewer benefits keep hiring due to fewer overheads, while many larger ones have already cut hours. Sign up to Global Dispatch Get a different world view with a roundup of the best news, features and pictures, curated by our global development team after newsletter promotion The economic instability is rippling far beyond the capital. Even before the latest clashes, migrant workers had begun pouring back across the Thai border. About 50,000 Cambodians are reported to have returned after the first border clash in May, which set off two months of simmering tensions. But the exodus accelerated after shots rang out again on 24 July, with thousands more seen flooding into border provinces where there was no fighting. Twenty-five-year-old That Sopring, says he returned from Thailand after the latest bombing, without aid from either government. 'No one forced me, but I came back with fear,' he says. 'There's no work now, just debt.' A construction worker for nearly a decade, Sopring took out loans to return and to survive at home. 'Even when I worked, I earned 370 baht (£8.50) a day, but spent more than half just to live. Now I have nothing coming in.' Soy Rachana, 27, faces similar uncertainty. After 10 years as a domestic worker in Thailand, she came home to the border Banteay Meanchey province also unsupported and unemployed. 'I returned after hearing about the border fighting and worrying for my child,' she says. 'I've been back two months, but there is no work in the countryside.' It is estimated more than half of Cambodian households are in debt to formal lenders, making it one of the most credit-penetrated countries in the region. The Cambodian prime minister, Hun Manet, has urged banks and microfinance institutions to ease loan repayments for returning migrants. His appeal highlights the wider problem of predatory lending in the country, which often traps vulnerable workers in cycles of debt. 'Cambodia's labour market presents a paradox,' says Tola Mouen, executive director of the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights. While official figures suggest near-full employment, they mask realities. More than 14% of workers earn less than $2.15 a day and 53% are working in insecure jobs. 'Given those figures – and the scale of household debt – I don't see how Cambodia could absorb all the returning migrant workers, or even half of the 1.2 million in Thailand,' Mouen says. 'With so few options at home and no protections, workers are more likely to return to Thailand, even with tensions running high, than to stay and face poverty here.' For now, Cambodia must try to hold the ceasefire at the border and strike a last-minute trade deal or face the impact of US tariffs. Much now hinges on the whims of US trade policy – but with Trump insisting the 1 August deadline will not be extended, hopes that a war-scarred region might be granted reprieve are slim. Additional reporting by Vutha Srey
Independent Singapore
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Independent Singapore
Over $70,000 raised for 'migrant heroes' of Tanjong Katong sinkhole rescue
Photo: Featured News Singapore News Singapore: In a remarkable show of gratitude and unity, Singaporeans have raised over $70,000 in a fundraiser titled 'Honouring Courage: Support the Brave Workers Behind the Sinkhole Rescue'. The campaign aims to reward the team of migrant workers who rescued a female driver after her car was swallowed by a sudden sinkhole along Tanjong Katong Road South on July 26. The harrowing incident unfolded around 5:50 pm, when a portion of the road collapsed — allegedly due to a structural failure at an adjacent construction site. According to a preliiminary investigation by the PUB, Singapore's national water agency, the collapse could be linked to the failure of a concrete caisson ring. Amid the chaos, a group of construction workers sprang into action. Within minutes, they tossed down a nylon rope and managed to pull the woman to safety — just as her car was nearly completely submerged in murky water. Their quick thinking and teamwork saved her life in under three minutes, drawing widespread praise from the public as the incident was recorded and circulated on social media. Fundraiser and public support The charity ItsRainingRaincoats, which advocates for the welfare of migrant workers in Singapore, launched the fundraiser shortly after the incident. The organisation confirmed that, aside from platform processing fees, 100% of the funds raised will be distributed among the workers involved and directly transferred to their bank accounts. 'This campaign was created as a way to thank the workers and recognise their contribution to the community,' the charity stated. Singaporeans responded swiftly and generously, helping the fundraiser surpass its initial goal. The campaign has become a symbol of appreciation for the often-unseen contributions of migrant workers who help build and maintain the city's infrastructure. Recognition and calls for more Public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Many netizens took to social media to call for formal national recognition, with some even suggesting that the rescuers be offered permanent residency (PR), citizenship or a national award. While no such formal honours have been announced, Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash visited the workers at their dormitory, where they were presented with appreciation coins. In a further gesture, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has invited the workers to the Istana Open House on August 3 as honoured guests. This incident and the public response have underscored the vital role migrant workers play in Singapore's daily life, In a country where our migrant workers often work behind the scenes, these 'migrant heroes' are now being praised not only for their bravery but also for reminding the nation of the shared humanity that connects everyone, regardless of nationality or status. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
The Guardian
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
The care sector needs migrant workers. Labour's visa crackdown is a cynical move
You are right to highlight, in your editorial, the folly of the government's decision to make it harder for migrant workers to find work as carers in the UK (The Guardian view on Labour's visa crackdown in social care: another problem for an overstretched system, 22 July). It's a cynical political move aimed at spiking Reform UK's guns on immigration, rather than alleviating pressure on the much-maligned care sector. Migrant workers are indispensable in filling roles that have been undervalued, underpaid and unwanted for too long. With thousands more care professionals needed to look after our ageing population, the government needs a joined-up approach if the crisis-ridden sector is to be transformed. While the government's fair pay agreement is the first step in turning care around, ministers must think again on their approach to foreign help – and, closer to home, announce the funding to make the fair pay agreement a reality. Decent wages and sufficient staff are essential elements of the promised national care service the country needs so McAneaGeneral secretary, Unison Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Migrant worker calls proposed spike in housing cost payroll deduction 'wickedness'
OTTAWA — An Ontario migrant farm worker says there is "wickedness" in a federal government proposal that could allow employers to charge workers upwards of 30 per cent of their income for housing. The Migrant Rights Network shared with The Canadian Press a discussion paper from Employment and Social Development Canada. The document outlines possible regulations for a new temporary worker stream for agricultural and fish processing workers. The planned stream would include sector-specific work permits. That would allow temporary workers to work for any qualified employer in a specific field, instead of having their work permit tied to a specific job. This new stream isn't expected to be active until 2027 at the earliest, says the discussion paper. The document sets out a range of possible housing deductions employers could charge for shelter. At the highest end of that range, the government is considering a deduction of 30 per cent of pre-tax income — about $1,000 per month, according to the discussion paper. A migrant worker from Jamaica — The Canadian Press has agreed not to name him, due to his fear of reprisal from his employer — said that if the highest level of deduction is implemented, his $600 after-tax weekly pay packet will be stretched even thinner. "That is wickedness. I am working for $17.23 per hour," he said. "It seems like they want the program to become harder because if I am working, and they're taking so much money from me, then I won't have anything to send back home to my family or buy food here in Canada just to survive." A statement from Employment and Social Development Canada, the agency that oversees the temporary worker program, said the department held "extensive consultation" on the agriculture and fish processing stream. That included talks with international partners, industry stakeholders and migrant worker support organizations such as the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, the department said. The "paper-based consultation" included discussion papers covering such topics as health care, employer-provided transportation, wages and deductions, the department said. That consultation process is now over and federal employment and immigration officials are reviewing the feedback. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation defines affordable housing as anything costing less than 30 per cent of a household's pre-tax income. The discussion paper says the lowest housing deduction being considered by the federal government is five per cent, which it estimates would cost workers about $180 monthly. The amount a migrant worker can be charged through a housing deduction depends on the kind of temporary work program they're in. Those in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program cannot be charged by their employer for housing. Workers with low-wage stream permits, such as those working for fish processors, can be charged up to 30 per cent of their earnings for employer-provided housing. Syed Hussan, executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, said a 30 per cent housing deduction would be "a massive theft" of wages "without improvement in their lives." "It's incredibly hypocritical that it's being framed as improvements and a response to the United Nations calling Canada's temporary immigration system a breeding ground for exploitation and slavery," he said. Last year, the UN released a report saying Canada's temporary worker program is a "breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery" because it ties work permits to jobs. The report said this creates an institutionalized power imbalance because workers may be deported if they are fired and employers have "limited incentive to ensure decent working conditions." The migrant worker told The Canadian Press that he's been told he needs to keep working and stay in line because there are "10 more Jamaicans waiting for your job." "We don't really have a choice because if we did have a choice I'd be home with my family. The job situation in Jamaica is not really good. It's hard at the moment," he said. Hussan said the housing standards Ottawa cites in the discussion paper are inadequate and not enforceable. The discussion paper cites the need for "sufficient" ventilation and "adequate" plumbing. Hussan said this looks like a shift away from the federal government's 2020 proposal for housing regulations, which said migrant worker dwellings need to be able to maintain an indoor temperature of 20 to 25 degrees. The migrant worker who spoke to The Canadian Press said that he and his roommates often need to stay outside until 10 or 11 p.m. so their bunkhouse can cool down because it doesn't have air conditioning. "There is no A/C in the house and it is OK, it's legal for them. The bosses are not breaking any rules because at the start of the season, these houses are supposed to be inspected and passed by the relevant authorities so they are not breaking any rules," he said. The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change said it wants to see migrant workers given permanent residency status so they're better able to stand up for their rights. The government's discussion paper talks about creating a sector-specific permit for the planned agriculture and fish processing stream. This would mean someone holding this type of permit could work for any qualifying employer instead of having their work permit tied to a specific job. Hussan said this proposal still wouldn't provide labour mobility because the pool of employers that meet the program's criteria is small, and the rural areas where many seasonal workers live and work often have poor cell or internet coverage. "If you're working in New Brunswick, how do you find out that there's an employer in Ontario, or in B.C. or in Quebec who has an unfilled (Labour Market Impact Assessment), right?" Hussan said. "If you wanted labour mobility, you'd say, 'You can just work wherever you want.' Which is what you and I have, the ability to change jobs." This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025. David Baxter, The Canadian Press
CBC
15 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Migrant worker calls proposed spike in housing cost payroll deduction 'wickedness'
An Ontario migrant farm worker says there is "wickedness" in a federal government proposal that could allow employers to charge workers upwards of 30 per cent of their income for housing. The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change shared with The Canadian Press a discussion paper from Employment and Social Development Canada. The document outlines possible regulations for a new temporary worker stream for agricultural and fish processing workers. The planned stream would include sector-specific work permits. That would allow temporary workers to work for any qualified employer in a specific field, instead of having their work permit tied to a specific job. This new stream isn't expected to be active until 2027 at the earliest, according to the discussion paper. The discussion paper sets out a range of possible housing deductions employers could charge for shelter. At the highest end of that range, the government is considering a deduction of 30 per cent of pre-tax income — about $1,000 per month, according to the discussion paper. A migrant worker from Jamaica — The Canadian Press has agreed not to name him, due to his fear of reprisal from his employer — said that if the highest level of deduction is implemented, his $600 after-tax weekly pay packet will be stretched even thinner. "That is wickedness. I am working for $17.23 per hour," he said. "It seems like they want the program to become harder because if I am working, and they're taking so much money from me, then I won't have anything to send back home to my family or buy food here in Canada just to survive." A statement from Employment and Social Development Canada, the agency that oversees the temporary worker program, said they held "extensive consultation" on the agriculture and fish processing stream. This includes talks with international partners, industry stakeholders and migrant worker support organizations such as the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change. The "paper-based consultation" included these discussion papers, which cover topics like healthcare, employer-provided transportation, wages and deductions. That consultation process is now over, and federal employment and immigration officials are currently reviewing the feedback. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation defines affordable housing as anything costing less than 30 per cent of a household's pre-tax income. The discussion paper says the lowest housing deduction being considered by the federal government is five per cent, which it estimates would cost workers about $180 monthly. The amount a migrant worker can be charged for a housing deduction depends on the kind of temporary work program they're in. Those in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program cannot be charged by their employer for housing. Workers with low wage stream permits, such as those working for fish processors, can be charged up to 30 per cent of their earnings for employer-provided housing. Syed Hussan, executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, said a 30 per cent housing deduction would be "a massive theft" of wages "without improvement in their lives." "It's incredibly hypocritical that it's being framed as improvements and a response to the United Nations calling Canada's temporary immigration system a breeding ground for exploitation and slavery," he said. Last year, the UN released a report saying Canada's temporary worker program is a "breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery" because it ties work permits to jobs. The report said this creates an institutionalized power imbalance because workers may be deported if they are fired and employers have "limited incentive to ensure decent working conditions." The Jamaican migrant worker said that he's been told he needs to keep working and stay in line because there are "10 more Jamaicans waiting for your job." "We don't really have a choice because if we did have a choice I'd be home with my family. The job situation in Jamaica is not really good. It's hard at the moment," he said. Hussan also said the housing standards Ottawa cites in the discussion paper are inadequate and not enforceable. The discussion paper cites the need for "sufficient" ventilation and "adequate" plumbing. Hussan said this looks like a shift from the federal government's 2020 proposal for housing regulations, which said migrant worker dwellings need to be able to maintain an indoor temperature of 20 to 25 degrees. The migrant worker who spoke to The Canadian Press said that he and his roommates often need to stay outside until 10 or 11 p.m. so their bunkhouse can cool down because it doesn't have air conditioning. "There is no A/C in the house and it is OK, it's legal for them. The bosses are not breaking any rules because at the start of the season, these houses are supposed to be inspected and passed by the relevant authorities so they are not breaking any rules," he said. The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change said it wants to see migrant workers given permanent residency status so they're better able to stand up for their rights. The government's discussion paper talks about creating a sector-specific permit for the planned agriculture and fish processing stream. This would mean someone holding this type of permit could work for any qualifying employer instead of having their work permit tied to a specific job. Hussan said this proposal still wouldn't provide labour mobility because the pool of employers that meet the program's criteria is small, and the rural areas where many seasonal workers live and work often have poor cell or internet coverage. "If you're working in New Brunswick, how do you find out that there's an employer in Ontario, or in B.C. or in Quebec who has an unfilled (Labour Market Impact Assessment), right?" Hussan said.
