Indonesia urged to protect Cambodians on Thai boats

Indonesian ambassador to Cambodia Pitono Purnomo shakes hands with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen before a meeting in Phnom Penh on Monday. (Supplied/Khmer Times photo)

Prime Minister Hun Sen has urged Indonesia to help Cambodian migrant workers on Thai fishing boats.

He made the call in a meeting on Monday with outgoing Indonesian ambassador to Cambodia Pitono Purnomo, the Khmer Times reported on Tuesday.

Hun Sen also urged more cooperation on trade and defence matters, said Minister attached to the Prime Minister Kao Kim Huon

The Cambodian embassy in Jakarta has rescued many Cambodian workers who were trafficked in Thailand and later arrested for illegally fishing in Indonesian waters.

Hun Sen told the ambassador that Cambodian migrant workers were often forced to work on Thai fishing boats, since they were victims of human trafficking.

He requested Indonesia’s help to stop victims becoming criminalised.

Kim Huon said the closed-door meeting with the ambassador lasted more than one hour. Both sides agreed to boost annual trade between the countries, which currently stands at US$450 million (15 billion baht).