Twenty-four Myanmar workers have been sent to construction sites in Russia under a government-to-government (G to G) cooperation program with zero service charges, according to the military council’s announcement and statements from overseas employment agencies. This deployment is part of a pilot project where Vista International Co., Ltd has arranged to send workers to construction sites operated by Russian Joint-Stock Company ‘Inturd’ Co., Ltd. Initially planned for 54 workers, this first batch of 24 workers marks the beginning of the program.
The selected workers have completed Russian language training and are skilled in steel construction and masonry work. According to an overseas employment agency owner, the program is being managed by a company owned by military veterans, and only companies with direct authorization from the Ministry of Labor are permitted to send workers. The workers are expected to earn approximately USD 250 per month. The program operates under strict governmental oversight, with workers being sent to both construction and agricultural sectors. The military council has stated that they are currently negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia regarding bilateral labor cooperation.
This worker deployment program represents a significant step in the military council’s attempts to establish formal labor relations with Russia. The workers were selected based on their technical skills and language preparation, ensuring they could integrate into Russian workplaces effectively. However, human rights observers view this labor export program as an attempt by the military council to address its economic challenges through workforce deployment to allied nations. The zero-cost service arrangement, while beneficial to the workers in terms of immediate expenses, raises questions about the long-term implications of such government-to-government labor agreements and their impact on Myanmar’s workforce.
