CNI News
1 Feb 2023
The Myanmar embassy in Malaysia has suspended passport renewals, causing problems for Myanmar migrants who renew their passports for application of work permits, Myanmar nationals living in Malaysia told the CNI.
The embassy in Kualalumpur announced that passport renewals would be suspended as of 6th February, citing maintenance of computers and other equipment and it would announce the resumption of passport renewals on a later date.
As the embassy did not announce the exact date to resume the renewals of passports, it was difficult for Myanmar migrants to apply for rekalibrasi (RTK) work permits, U Babu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrants in Malaysia, told the CNI.
He said, "They immediately suspended passport renewals without any reason when the Malaysian government has permitted Myanmar migrants to apply for work permits. It poses great difficulties for migrant workers. Some agents here are collecting fees for passport renewals and we cannot prevent them. We have told everyone to wait and see the situation. Those who have employers who guarantee them can renew their passports through the links of the embassy."
A man waiting to renew his passport.
Although the embassy announced that it would suspend passport renewals, it would accept appointments for passport renewals and issue identity recommandations on office days.
Migrant workers who apply for RTK permits are required to have at least one year valid period of their passports and recommendations from their employers.
Therefore, they would call for the embassy to resume passport renewals after monitoring the situation for a certain period, Mhwar Michael, who has been living in Malaysia, told the CNI.
He said, "It poses great difficulty for overstaying Myanmar migrants, hundreds of whom are renewing their passports every day. As the embassy did not say when it would resume passport renewals exactly, we cannot complain about it currently. However, it does not resume passport renewals within a certain period, we will have to call for resumption of passport renewals on behalf of migrant workers.
Malaysian authorities have permitted migrant workers to apply for RTK permits but those who have overstayed their work permits or worked for employers other than permitted, illegal migrants and those who are included in the 6P program and violated laws are not permitted to apply for the work permits.
An immigration centre in Malaysia.
Employers are required to apply for work permits online for their workers and they will receive appointments within three days to meet authorities together with their workers.
After authorities have interviewed them, authorities will inform them within one day whether the workers are permitted to work in Malaysia or not. If authorities reject their applications, they can make appeals with the authorities.
Those who are permitted to apply for work permits are required to undergo medical check-ups. Those who have passed medical check-ups are required to pay Ringgit 1,500 for permit fees and other fees for visa, sticker, levy and services.
