The military council has indefinitely suspended foreign work permits for basic workers due to the low rate of Myanmar nationals returning from abroad, according to the Ministry of Labor in Naypyidaw. Currently, only skilled workers and those going abroad under government-to-government (G to G) agreements are being permitted after screening, sources from the ministry stated.
All foreign worker deployments have been temporarily suspended since February 14, after which the Labor Ministry has only been approving skilled workers and those under G to G arrangements. Notably, the issuance of Overseas Worker Identification Cards (OWIC), which are essential for foreign employment, has been temporarily suspended for basic workers. The ministry continues to process OWIC cards only for skilled workers and those under government-to-government programs.
This restriction came after Military Council leader Min Aung Hlaing appointed Chit Swe, former Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand, as Labor Minister on January 31. Currently, only skilled workers heading to Japan, Russia, and Laos are being personally screened and approved by the Labor Minister. The military council claims these restrictions are due to low foreign currency earnings from overseas workers and minimal returns to the country, resulting in human resource losses. They also cite declining population numbers due to increased emigration, higher death rates, and lower birth rates. However, human rights observers point out that people are fleeing abroad due to the military council’s oppression.
During a military council meeting in Naypyidaw on February 11, Min Aung Hlaing expressed concerns about foreign currency shortages and insufficient revenue collection from overseas workers. He further stated at a January 17 meeting that Myanmar’s population was declining due to various factors, including increased emigration for different reasons, deaths, and falling birth rates. He noted that along with population decline, domestic labor shortages were becoming more severe. These restrictions reflect the military council’s attempts to control population movement and maintain their grip on power, even as their policies continue to drive more people to seek opportunities abroad.
