By Hanthar Hein - May 06, 2025
Male migrant workers returning to Myanmar on leave are reportedly being denied re-entry to overseas jobs by the Ministry of Labour, citing the official age restriction of 18 to 35 years, according to an announcement from the ministry’s Safe Migration Telegram channel on May 5.
The notice lists male returnees and skilled workers who applied for the Overseas Worker Identification Card (OWIC) but were rejected due to either incomplete documentation or falling within the age limit imposed by the ministry.
Although the Ministry of Labour had previously informed licensed agencies at the end of January 2025 that men aged 18 to 35 would no longer be granted permission to work abroad, no formal announcement was made to clarify whether this applied to returning workers as well.
“I heard that the age rule also includes male returnees, but there was no official statement. I thought I could still apply, so I submitted for OWIC. Now it’s clear they won’t process OWIC for males aged 18–35. Honestly, the department should have been transparent from the start. Instead, it feels like a hidden trap,” said a returning worker who falls within the restricted age range.
This policy has created uncertainty not only for male returnees but also for those who have signed EC contracts and are preparing to legally migrate through licensed agencies.
In response, licensed agencies submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Labour on April 30, urging the ministry to grant exit permission to those who have already signed contracts.
“Now that male returnees are being denied OWIC because they fall within the age restriction, hope is fading even for those with signed contracts. Agencies haven’t received any formal notice yet. Both workers and agencies will suffer huge losses if the ministry officially blocks all workers matching the age limit,” said a representative of a licensed agency.
Currently, around 10,000 male and female workers who have signed EC contracts are still waiting to receive OWIC and exit approvals to work abroad, according to licensed agencies.
