The sending of migrant workers to Thailand through official routes has been temporarily suspended by Myanmar’s junta, according to overseas employment agencies.
While workers can head to other countries with specific restrictions, the sending of employees to Thailand has been suspended from Friday.
An employment agency source said junta officials told the Myanmar Overseas Employment Services Entrepreneurs Association verbally and refused to issue written instructions.
“When we asked them to issue a letter confirming the closure, they said it was a verbal order. They said that they suspended only to Thailand and other countries are not included,” said a source.
On Wednesday 140 workers sent by four employment agencies to foreign countries failed to submit their departure permits on time at Yangon airport. Agency sources said the suspension was verbally instructed by the junta’s Ministry of Labor.
The regime no longer allows men aged 18 to 35 to leave the country for potential conscription.
Men are often prevented from flying from Yangon airport, despite having permits to work or travel.
This month Singapore urged agencies to look elsewhere for employees because of junta conscription.
“The employers overseas asked us whether we can still send the workers they demanded. But we don’t know what to answer,” said an agent.
U Than, who runs an employment agency and Japanese language and vocational training schools in Yangon, said the lack of clarity was an ongoing problem.
“People have hope of working overseas. I don’t know what to tell them. Everything is uncertain. It is very damaging for their self-confidence,” he said.
Additional reporting by Yu Phyu Han
