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. 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 were temporarily suspended starting February 14, after which the Labor Ministry began selectively approving only skilled workers and those under G to G arrangements. Notably, the issuance of Overseas Worker Identification Cards (OWIC), which is crucial for foreign employment, has been temporarily suspended for basic workers. The ministry continues to issue OWIC cards only to skilled workers and those going abroad under G to G programs.
This restriction on foreign employment 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 and Russia, and workers under G to G arrangements going to Laos are being personally screened and approved by the Labor Minister. The military council has cited several concerns, including low foreign currency earnings from overseas workers, minimal rates of return migration, and resulting human resource losses and labor shortages in the country.
Ministry officials explained that the military council is facing challenges with declining foreign currency collections from overseas workers and low rates of return migration, leading to human resource losses and labor shortages. Additionally, Min Aung Hlaing revealed in a January 17 meeting that Myanmar’s population has been declining due to various factors, including increased emigration, casualties, and declining birth rates. The military council’s decision to restrict foreign employment appears to be an attempt to address these demographic and economic challenges, though it significantly impacts the employment opportunities for basic workers seeking overseas employment.
