People in line to get visas at the embassy of Thailand in Yangon, after Myanmar said in February that it would impose military service. PHOTO: AFP
Mizzima
Myanmar’s Military Council has temporarily banned men from going abroad to work, officials of the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF) confirmed to Mizzima.
MOEAF Vice-Chairman (2), Kyaw Htin Kyaw, informed Mizzima that although they have been directed not to accept new applications, they will continue to serve those who have already registered to go abroad to work.
Additionally, he stated that the junta has ordered that only men be prohibited.
“At this time, the men’s right to work overseas is temporarily suspended but those who have already registered will be sent abroad. It’s not the MOU, but all the males who plan to go abroad for work are under temporary prohibition; we don’t know how long it will last as this ban is temporary,” said Vice-Chairman (2) of the MOEAF.
The MOEAF secretary added that he has been aware of the situation for four days, and while the formal announcement by Military Council has not yet been made public, it is anticipated that it would be made public soon.
“The only people who will be accepted to apply for registration to work abroad are those who have already registered their demand letters with all agencies. This is what the authorities (Military Council) have ordered. The official letter will be sent out,” said the MOEAF’s secretary.
There is a temporary halt as of the beginning of May.
Mizzima attempted to call the Safe Migration department under the Ministry of Labour at the Naypyidaw office of the Military Council to inquire about the matter, but no one answered.
Males are prohibited by the Military Council from working overseas, despite the fact that many young men are doing so to escape being coerced into joining the armed forces across the country. The junta ordered compulsory military conscription on 10 February.
According to Khaing Gyi, a director of the Aid Alliance Committee (AAC), which handles the affairs of Myanmar workers in Thailand, the Military Council’s action is a fruitless attempt that will not only hurt them but also the governments of other nations and all young men who aspire to work abroad. It can also help the brokers who are illegally trying to smuggle migrant workers.
“None of the three parties will benefit in the slightest from what they have directed. The traffickers only profit,” said Khaing Gyi.
According to him, a large number of individuals currently enter Thailand legally, but a similar number enter the country illegally in order to find employment. The Military Council’s decision to forbid the legal avenue will likely result in an increase in the number of people leaving Thailand illegally.
A young man from Yangon, who is preparing to leave for Thailand in order to dodge the country’s military conscription law, explained that he would only be leaving with a visitation visa due to the difficulty of finding employment and his concern that he would be stuck there while he waits for a visa.
“As you are aware, it is difficult to obtain a job these days, and some people are using visitation visas to travel overseas in search of work-from-home opportunities. Beginning with the process of leaving with a worker’s visa is not simple. Whatever you say will not make it any easier. They (the junta) are also making arrests (for mandatory military service), so I know they (young men) want to leave as soon as possible,” a young man who was preparing to depart Yangon for Thailand said.
The number of young and middle-aged people departing the nation through both legal and illegal channels for more than two months has increased as a result of the 10 February implementation of junta military conscription.
Local entrepreneurs have expressed concerns to Mizzima since as early as March about the impact of labour shortages on the local economy due to a significant number of young people leaving the country.
Conscription commenced in earnest in April. The junta has announced that 5,000 people will be called up in each batch, but recruitment has been ongoing since before the Thingyan water festival and is still underway for the second batch.
