Myanmar to sign agreement with China on migrant workers
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A memorandum of understanding will be signed allowing Myanmar migrants to work legally in China, said Min Hlaing, chairperson of the Overseas Employment Service Entrepreneurs Association.
Myanmar migrants will be employed in the manufacturing sector and not in the entertainment industry.
“Rules and regulations on sending workers to China are be drawn up and will be submitted to the President’s Office soon. Sending workers to China is an initiation of the association, which will assist in the signing of the MoU,” said Min Hlaing.
As China is presently sending its workers to Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, Chinese salaries for Myanmar workers may not be as high as those offered in other countries.
“Male workers will mainly be sent. If it is secure enough, then female workers will be permitted to go as well,” said Min Hlaing.
In his statement in the lower house on June 26, Deputy Labour Minister HtinAung said the MoU drafting would proceed in similar manner with the ones signed with Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea.
Myanmar migrants are presently facing a number of problems, such as being exploited in their workplaces, ill-treatment and job discrimina-tion, according to the Treasure Land Development Association.
On Thursday, Chinese authorities for the first time deported 352 illegal Myanmar workers, according to the Department of Immigration and National Registration in Muse township.
“The Chinese side sent back 352 Myanmar workers,” said Htay Win, immigration officer of the Nandaw check point. “According to their border pass, Myanmar workers can work only in Kyal Gaung-Shweli [also called Ruili in China]. However, they passed Shweli and went up to Binzhou city, Shandong province. So China sent them back.”
Among the 352 deported were 276 men and 76 women. Some worked there for only five or six months.
