If you have a chance to visit Dong Thap Muoi region in the southern Long An province during the harvesting season, you will be able to enjoy the limitless expanses of paddy fields dotted here and there with Cambodian farmers.
Since there is a shortage of local harvesters during the season, local people have to turn to hiring Cambodian workers to help them do field work like digging, spraying fertilizers, and harvesting rice.
Many poor Cambodia laborers often cross the border to Vietnam’s Dong Thap Muoi region to earn a living to feed their families at home.
Following are some photos by Tuoi Tre:
Despite hard work, they always wear radiant smiles
Cambodian workers flocking to paddy fields in Vietnam from Cambodia
At around 6:30 am everyday, Cambodians present themselves at the border post in Vinh Hung district, Long An province to undertake immigration procedures to apply for jobs in Vietnam
The man in this photo is anxiously waiting for a job in Vietnam. Some even have to wait from early mornings till afternoons on a daily basis to get hired by a Vietnamese boss
Hai Don, a Vietnamese rice landowner, is happy to pick up familiar workers over the border. Today, she needs five laborers for her rice field
Hai Don entrusts strong male workers with the task of mixing fertilizer
Cambodian workers begin a new working day by transferring fertilizers to rice fields, a couple of kilometers away from their houses
Despite unfavorable weather conditions, the female workers take a short nap, and have lunch and breakfast on field site
They leave their shoes on the edge of the rice field. They have to cross dozens of kilometers to head towards Vietnam wearing these thin shoes
They are carrying bags of fertilizers towards the rice field
Both employer and employees are enjoying an informal lunch
After a hardworking day, this woman brought to her house in Cambodia only some sundries she bought from a market near the border
It’s very easy to recognize the close relationship between and Vietnamese owners and Cambodian workers. They treat one another like good friends.
Local rice field owners told Tuoi Tre that Cambodian laborers work very hard and well, adding they are willing to do all the hard work.
Meanwhile, according to Cambodian workers, Vietnamese employers are very kind.
