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 (G to G) agreements are being permitted after careful screening.
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 G to G arrangements. Notably, the issuance of Overseas Worker Identification Cards (OWIC), which is essential for foreign employment, has also been temporarily suspended for basic workers.
This restriction on foreign worker deployments came after Military Council leader Min Aung Hlaing appointed former Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand Chit Swe as Labor Minister on January 31. Currently, only skilled workers and those under G to G arrangements traveling 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 remittances from Myanmar workers abroad and minimal rates of return migration, leading to human resource losses. Additionally, Min Aung Hlaing has stated that Myanmar’s population decline is attributed to increased emigration, deaths from various causes, and declining birth rates, resulting in domestic labor shortages. The military council’s actions reflect their concern over losing control of the workforce and foreign currency earnings, though their policies may further exacerbate the economic challenges faced by ordinary Myanmar citizens seeking better opportunities abroad.
