The military council has announced new regulations for Myanmar citizens seeking employment abroad. According to the announcement, those planning to work overseas must now obtain approval from the Ministry of Labor in addition to having a passport and Overseas Worker Identification Card (OWIC). Furthermore, the list of approved individuals will be sent to airports in advance, and only those included in the list will be permitted to travel abroad.
According to the military council’s announcement, this new system will take effect from March 17. Previously, individuals could travel abroad with just an OWIC and passport, but now they must obtain additional approval from the Ministry of Labor. Additionally, the OWIC card issuance process, which had been suspended since February 14, will resume from March 20.
However, OWIC cards will only be issued to skilled workers and for positions listed in job offers approved by the Ministry of Labor. Moreover, the military council will continue to restrict foreign travel for young men aged 18 to 35, as confirmed by a source from the Ministry of Labor in Naypyidaw. These restrictions are likely to create additional difficulties for ordinary workers seeking employment opportunities abroad. The new regulations represent a significant tightening of control over overseas employment, particularly affecting unskilled workers who previously had more straightforward access to foreign job markets.
