By Hanthar Hein - Feb 27, 2025
The Ministry of Labour has continued to suspend the issuance of Overseas Worker Identification Cards (OWIC), which are required for Myanmar nationals seeking employment abroad. As a result, both licensed employment agencies and workers are experiencing financial losses.
The ministry has been sending back workers who applied for OWIC cards and has shut down the offices responsible for issuing them since February 18. As of now, there has been no official announcement on when these offices will reopen.
The suspension has caused difficulties for licensed employment agencies involved in sending workers abroad.
“The entire overseas employment process hasn’t been shut down, but only female worker contracts are currently being processed. Those who already have an OWIC card and a flight ticket are being reviewed and allowed to leave gradually. However, those who have signed contracts but haven’t received their OWIC cards yet have no idea when they will be able to leave. The OWIC offices are still closed. Employers overseas need workers at specific times, but on this end, we can’t make any arrangements. The agencies will bear the financial losses if the employers decide they can’t wait and cancel their recruitment,” said a representative from a licensed employment agency.
Workers who have already signed contracts are also facing financial difficulties due to the suspension of OWIC card issuance.
"I signed a contract to go to Thailand three months ago. All I have left to do is attend the training and get my OWIC card. The agency told me to stay in Yangon so that I can apply as soon as the offices reopen. I’ve already been here for a week, and my expenses for food and accommodation are piling up. I mortgaged my family’s farmland to finance this trip, and if I don’t make it to Thailand, I don’t know what I’ll do. Just thinking about it is exhausting," said a worker preparing to go abroad.
Additionally, workers who temporarily returned from abroad for personal reasons are also unable to re-enter their workplaces due to the OWIC suspension, leading to further financial losses.
“I returned from Malaysia on leave because my mother was unwell. My leave is up at the end of the month, and I already purchased my return flight ticket before coming back. But now, the OWIC offices are still closed. My employer has granted me a one-week extension, but if the offices don’t reopen by next month, I don’t know what might happen. It was my mistake to return, and I regret it. My cousin is 33 years old—he won’t be allowed to go back even if the offices reopen,” said a worker who recently returned to Myanmar.
The Ministry of Labour has not made any clear policy announcements regarding overseas employment procedures. As a result, employment agencies are struggling to manage their operations, and workers are facing financial disputes and uncertainties.
