At a military council meeting in Naypyidaw, Min Aung Hlaing urged Myanmar workers to seek employment within the country after implementing monthly quotas for workers going abroad. He claimed that overseas employment has led to domestic labor shortages and emphasized the need to create job opportunities within Myanmar. He suggested that working within the country would provide better security and opportunities for advancement compared to seeking employment abroad, while stating that they would facilitate technical training, job opportunities, and industrial technology development for domestic workers.
The Ministry of Labor has strictly limited the deployment of workers abroad starting from March, allowing only 50 workers per month to Thailand, 10 to Korea, 5 to Singapore, and 20 to Malaysia through each employment agency. Furthermore, they have completely banned foreign employment for young men aged 18 to 35 years and are pressuring Myanmar nationals already abroad to return home for mandatory military service.
While the military council claims it will provide technical support, job opportunities, and industrial technology for domestic employment, the reality shows severe job scarcity and deteriorating economic conditions. Parents of Myanmar youth working abroad have expressed concerns about the pressure being applied for military service and report that their children are reluctant to return home due to these circumstances. The restrictions and pressure for military service have created significant anxiety among families with members working overseas, as they fear for their children’s safety and future prospects if forced to return to Myanmar under current conditions.
