Overseas Employment Sector at Risk of Drying Up Due to Worker Shortage
Arakha Times (23 November 2024)
The overseas employment sector faces potential stagnation due to a lack of workers available for legal migration through overseas employment agencies, caused by age restrictions and mandatory military service laws, according to an agency representative who spoke with Arakha Times.
While there are workers who wish to work abroad, restrictions such as age limits, remittance taxes, and mandatory military service obligations are pushing many to opt for illegal migration routes instead, the representative said.
An agency spokesperson explained, “The overseas employment agency industry is gradually drying up. Even with demand, we cannot send workers due to the age restrictions. There are no workers available. The labor market is no longer viable. No matter how much agencies expand, the worker force is just not there. Those expanding their operations will eventually have to stop. Workers are fleeing due to military conscription, and those who want to go abroad are forced to use illegal routes because they cannot meet the legal criteria.”
The tightening regulations not only create challenges for workers seeking opportunities abroad but also hinder the operations of overseas employment agencies, the representative added.
Workers traveling abroad via illegal routes often face unsafe journeys, with risks of being arrested or detained. Once they arrive in foreign countries, they also incur additional costs for obtaining necessary documentation. U Aung Kyaw, an advocate for migrant labor rights in Thailand, noted a significant increase in illegal migration and its associated risks.
“Choosing illegal routes leads to significant consequences. Safe and secure travel options no longer exist, and people now face numerous risks. Traveling in hiding exposes them to arrests and legal actions, creating unnecessary problems.
For a country’s economic development, the strength of its youth labor force is crucial. However, with the domestic economy in turmoil and lacking foreign investment, people are increasingly relying on opportunities abroad. Even a country like Laos is now exporting workers, which shows that the labor shortage issue is a significant problem domestically.
That said, while we discuss labor shortages, it’s also important to consider how much domestic production exists, how effectively factories and companies operate, and the level of foreign investment in the country. These factors also play a crucial role,” U Aung Kyaw explained.
For a country to prevent labor shortages, it must monitor the outflow of workers through legal channels and address gaps in the workforce. However, with the increasing reliance on illegal migration routes, accurate data on labor outflow is becoming unavailable, labor rights advocates warned.
Currently, among the 500 overseas employment agencies in operation, nearly 300 have reportedly failed to provide remittance documentation for their workers, further complicating the situation.
