The military junta is pressuring agencies to recall foreign workers for military service.
Arakha Times (23 November 2024)
It has been reported by overseas employment agencies that the military junta is pressuring these agencies to recall workers who are on the list of those required to serve in the military from among the workers who have gone abroad for jobs.
Currently, when workers are signing contracts with overseas employment agencies for jobs abroad, it is said by a representative from one such agency that there will be additional information regarding the responsibilities that need to be fulfilled.
“ The new contract now includes that provision, and because of it, everyone is feeling uneasy. The main issue is that the agency is being asked to call in his parents and relatives only if necessary, which is causing some discomfort. All the agencies are not happy about it. Regarding financial matters, they are also trying to manage things collectively, just for a meal ticket. When this issue arises, it becomes quite a headache for the agencies,” he said to the Arakha Times.
Previously, the contract included provisions related to income tax and family remittances at a rate of 25 percent between the agency and the workers.
The military council is currently taking action to further supplement the points that need to be implemented by the Ministry of Labour.
U Aung Kyaw, who is assisting with the rights of migrant workers in Thailand, stated that actions like this are a violation of the law.
“ Since this law came into effect, we have found it to be an unreasonable law. At a time when people are facing numerous difficulties in their daily lives, it is unreasonable to include such stipulations in contracts for workers who are successfully seeking employment abroad, stating that they must return if they are called back. They have already been bound by contracts from the beginning. Initially, there were even restrictions on their ability to leave the country, so it is difficult for us to make predictions. It seems that this law was not issued after careful and thorough consideration but rather has been released frequently as they see fit,” he said to Arakha Times.
Due to age restrictions and labour laws, there are no longer workers who can travel through legal channels to foreign countries via overseas employment agencies. As a result, agencies are stating that the overseas job market may become stagnant.
The tightening circumstances are not only causing difficulties for workers planning to leave the country but are also creating challenges for the overseas employment agencies that send them abroad. It is pointed out that workers may end up choosing illegal pathways as a result.