Myanmar considers sending workers to Taiwan

 

Min Hlaing, chairman of the federation, said that Myanmar workers, male and female, could earn between Ks 600,000-800,000 per month.

“Discussions are underway,” Min Hlaing said. “Despite the One-China policy, our seamen are being hired by Taiwanese companies. Plus, Myanmar also has established bilateral trade with Taiwan. Therefore, sending workers to Taiwan won’t jeopardise the relationship with China.”

According to Ko Tun from the Migrant Workers Rights Network based in Thailand, the federation and agents in Taiwan should sign a memorandum of understanding to clarify dubious issues.

“This should ensure that any possible dispute will be solved easily,” he said.

Many Myanmar workers, mostly without legal documents, suffer from mistreatment overseas.

There is no official data on the number of Myanmar workers overseas. According to Thai official data, nearly 2 million of them are in Thailand.

Myanmar currently sends workers to 15 countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and Japan, officially. Macau will soon become another destination for Myanmar workers.

In August, Min Hlaing also unveiled the plan to send Myanmar workers to work in casinos and factories in Macau. He said that an MoU with an agency in Macau would be signed soon. 

 “Macau is a peaceful and tranquil country. Its salary levels are two or three times better than Thailand and Malaysia. They [Macau] give a salary of more than US$1,000 to security workers. Moreover, it has sufficient labour rights. We are going to send workers to Macau after signing an MoU. The Ministry of Labour also called for the signing of an MoU without delay,” Min Hlaing said.

He estimated that if Myanmar workers do work in factories and casinos in Macau, they would be paid a monthly salary of at least US$600 to more than US$1,000.

Millions of Myanmar citizens work abroad due to the shortage of job opportunities and low salaries at home, according to the International Migrant Organisation.