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 careful screening, according to internal sources from the ministry.
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 are essential for foreign employment, has been suspended for basic workers. The ministry continues to process applications for skilled workers and those under government agreements, but basic workers are currently barred from obtaining these necessary documents.
This restrictive policy was implemented after Min Aung Hlaing appointed Chit Swe, former Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand, as Labor Minister on January 31. Currently, only skilled workers bound for Japan and Russia, and workers under G to G agreements heading to Laos, are being approved for departure after direct screening by the Labor Minister. The military council has cited concerns about foreign currency earnings, with Min Aung Hlaing stating in a February council meeting that remittances from overseas workers were not meeting expectations.
A senior official from the Labor Ministry explained that the restrictions were implemented due to concerns about human resource losses and labor shortages, as very few Myanmar nationals working abroad are returning home, and foreign currency earnings from overseas workers remain low. Additionally, Min Aung Hlaing has expressed concern about Myanmar’s declining population, attributing it to increased emigration, higher mortality rates, and declining birth rates. These factors, combined with the current restrictions on foreign employment, could potentially worsen the domestic labor shortage situation. The military council’s decision to limit foreign employment opportunities appears to be an attempt to maintain control over the workforce while addressing these demographic and economic challenges, though this approach has raised concerns about limiting economic opportunities for Myanmar’s workers.
