Around 250,000 workers in Myanmar out of work due to COVID-19
Yangon—The number of jobless people including migrant workers who returned from abroad, has reached around 250,000, said Deputy Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population U Myint Kyaing, at a press conference on the fourth-year performance of the ministry, on 26 June.
“During COVID-19 period, more than 100,000 migrant workers returned home from abroad. Due to the shutdown of 5,658 factories, more than 140,000 workers become jobless. The total number of jobless people has exceeded 240,000, including the returnees, he added.
“The skilled workers who returned from abroad have registered with the relevant labour registration offices. The ministry is helping them to get new jobs. These workers have higher proficeincy skills. At least 57 factories have reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic period. These factories contacted the ministry as they need thousands of workers. The ministry helped jobless workers to get new jobs,” he continued.
During the period from March to June, the number of migrant workers who returned from Thailand, South Korea, Japan and China, exceeded 110,000.
Coordinations are being made on the appointment of jobless workers at the projects being developed by the relevant ministries. The ministry has to supervise the sending of workers due to the suspension of airlines as some businesses in the neighbouring countries are recruiting workers, the deputy minister said.