The National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar has issued a strong condemnation of the military junta’s ongoing violations of the rights of Myanmar migrant workers and citizens abroad. In an announcement released on the 3rd Waning Day of Tawthalin, 1386 M.E (September 20, 2024), the Ministry of Labour within the NUG denounced the junta’s recent orders that force Myanmar migrant workers to remit part of their salaries through government-approved channels.
The military council, which came into power after overthrowing the democratically elected government in a violent coup, has recently issued Notification No. (108/2024). This directive mandates that Myanmar migrant workers abroad transfer at least 25% of their basic salary as family remittances through designated banks. Failure to comply could lead to severe consequences, including the non-renewal of passports, restrictions on work permits, and the denial of Overseas Worker Identity Cards (OWIC). Migrant workers are also required to submit evidence of these remittance transactions to licensed employment agencies, which must report monthly to the military-controlled Ministry of Labour.
According to the NUG, this directive is aimed at alleviating the military junta’s foreign currency deficit, which is primarily used to fund its oppressive regime. The NUG contends that these actions are illegal, as they go beyond the responsibilities outlined in Myanmar’s existing Overseas Employment Law (1999). The forced remittances, without the workers’ consent, violate not only Myanmar laws but also fundamental human rights.
The NUG further highlighted the military’s pattern of oppression. Myanmar embassies under the junta’s control have been withholding passport renewals and extensions for Myanmar migrants who are involved in pro-democracy movements or those who have fled the country due to the military’s violence. The junta’s embassies are reportedly denying services to those who cannot provide proof of remittances, placing thousands of migrants in jeopardy.
In the announcement, the NUG warned licensed employment agencies and organizations not to cooperate with the junta’s directives, stating that those who facilitate these illegal remittances will face severe consequences. The NUG also urged international organizations, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), to intervene and hold the military junta accountable for its abuses.
The NUG’s appeal for international assistance underscores the dire situation faced by Myanmar’s migrant workers, who are not only at risk of exploitation by employers abroad but also subject to harsh treatment by their own government. With the junta continuing its campaign of violence and repression, the rights and livelihoods of millions of Myanmar citizens hang in the balance.
