CNI News
1 May 2024
Although the number of licensed overseas employment agencies has been nearly 560, the number of agencies that actually operate is just a few, according to overseas employment agencies and those carrying out for the migrant workers affairs, told CNI News.
Although there were over 300 overseas employment agencies only after 2021, the number of agencies increases until 560 in April, 2024.
Because the agencies were not strictly scrutinized, only nominal agencies increased rather than the agencies actually operating, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), told CNI News.
" To tell the truth, the agencies have had the upper hand since the coup took place. According to workers, they hired an agency at 15 lakh kyats, for example. If the workers didn't come at the time of appointment, the agencies said to the workers," Don't you go abroad for work at 15 lakh kyats? Those who are waiting in line to go abroad at 16 lakh kyats." So, the number of agencies that want to do nominally has increased. If they can't send workers, there is a percentage that workers have to submit to the agencies in advance since the registration was made." he said.
While seeing the labor office
Because the number of people who wanted to go abroad has increased after 2021, overseas employment agencies could make money easily. In addition to opening an agency in the name of an individual, its family members also established agencies reportedly.
Although the number of agencies increased until two times within two years, old agencies only mainly were operating, an official from an overseas employment agency, told CNI News.
" There are 560 agencies, but the number of agencies that are actually operating not over 100 agencies. Although there are about 400 agencies that send workers to Thailand. But they can operate only if they have things to do. But we have worked for years and we have loyal customers. It doesn't make any difference to us." she said.
Some nominal overseas employment agencies sent workers to Thailand without responsibility and accountability. And there were also human trafficking's, those who are helping migrant workers told CNI News.
While seeing the labor office
There have been still problems when sending MoU workers, U Tun Win Naing, chairman of the Migrant Workers Rights Network (MWRN), told CNI News.
"Many MoU workers coming from Myanmar for construction site complained that they didn't get resignation letters; workshops kept passports their passports and employers didn't pay fully. We had to hand over two groups to the Myanmar Embassy." he said.
there were many liars who pretended to be licensed agencies because agencies have increased a lot.
So, the Ministry of Labor should scrutinize the agencies and the agencies that could not send workers abroad for long should be taken action against by suspending license, they pointed out.
