The military council has indefinitely suspended foreign employment permissions for basic workers due to low rates of Myanmar nationals returning from abroad, according to the Ministry of Labor in Naypyidaw. During this suspension period, only skilled workers and those going abroad under government-to-government agreements are being screened and permitted to leave.
Starting from February 14, all foreign worker deployments were temporarily suspended. Subsequently, the Labor Ministry has been screening and approving only skilled workers and those under government-to-government arrangements. Notably, the issuance of Overseas Worker Identification Cards (OWIC), which is essential for foreign employment, has also been temporarily suspended for basic workers, according to a senior official from the Labor Ministry.
This restriction on foreign worker deployments 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 bound for 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 of Myanmar nationals to the country, resulting in human resource losses.
Min Aung Hlaing has stated in military council meetings that Myanmar’s population is declining due to various factors, including increased emigration, deaths, and declining birth rates. He has expressed concern about the resulting labor shortages and loss of human resources in the country. The military council’s decision to restrict foreign employment appears to be an attempt to control the outflow of workers, though this policy has significant implications for those seeking employment opportunities abroad and for Myanmar’s labor market dynamics.
