The military council has announced significant restrictions on sending Myanmar workers to Thailand, limiting employment agencies to submit only one job order per month with a maximum of 50 workers per order. This announcement marks a dramatic shift in the overseas employment process, implementing multiple layers of restrictions that will substantially extend the time required for worker deployment. The new regulations represent a significant tightening of controls over labor migration to Thailand, which has traditionally been a major destination for Myanmar migrant workers.
According to the military council’s announcement, the process of sending workers to Thailand now involves 13 distinct steps, including job order submission, verification, approval, contract submission and authorization, worker deployment permission, and notification to airports, seaports, and border checkpoints. This complex process, which previously could be completed within days or weeks, is now expected to take several months. The military council has established a comprehensive bureaucratic procedure that includes multiple verification stages and approval requirements, significantly extending the timeline for worker deployment.
Furthermore, the military council has indicated that similar restrictions will be implemented for worker deployment to other countries, including Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and other destinations. While new job orders for Thailand will be accepted starting May 2, they will be subject to these stringent new regulations. The announcement represents a broader pattern of increasing control over foreign labor deployment, potentially affecting thousands of Myanmar workers seeking employment opportunities abroad.
A recruitment agency owner in Yangon has expressed concerns about the practical implications of these new restrictions, noting that the extended process time of four to six months per deployment will significantly impact the economic viability of recruitment agencies. The complex bureaucratic requirements and limited quota system pose substantial challenges for both workers and recruitment agencies, potentially reducing access to foreign employment opportunities for Myanmar workers. These restrictions represent a significant barrier for those seeking to work abroad as a means of supporting their families and accessing better economic opportunities.
