Khin Maung NYO Chairman, Myanmar Economic Association Khin Maung Nyo studied economics at Yangon Institute of Economics, Myanmar. He worked as a Lecturer at Department of Economics, Institute of Economics until 2001, before moving to Prime Minister s office as Deputy Director, until 2006. He is also a Senior Research Fellow at Myanmar Development Resource Institute-Centre for Economic and Social development, and Chairman of Myanmar Economic Association. Nyo is also a Journalist and Columnist, contributing articles and commentaries to local and international media. Abstract Managing Low-skilled Labor Migration in Myanmar 17 December 2015 Myanmar as a least developed country facing economic and labor issues which need to be tackled. She suffered from low economic development because of mismanagement of the economy for many decades. Growth of the Myanmar industries and businesses was limited. Consequently, income of the ordinary people in general and workers are at low level to cover their cost of living. One of the available options for them was to migrate into the neighboring countries legally or illegally under various risks and challenges. Formerly, Myanmar government is less concerned about the issues related with illegal migrants to neighboring countries and very recently migrant labor issues become one of the areas which attracts new civilian government s attention including Parliaments. After liberalizing private media in Myanmar, stories of sufferings and exploitations of the Myanmar migrant workers are published. Myanmar Government no longer ignores the sufferings of migrant workers and start trying to help migrant workers abroad. Even though some of the positive outcomes could be seen, there seems to be a lot of challenges remain for the low skilled migrant workers which need to be tackled in the short run and long run. In the long run, as Myanmar is endeavoring to reform her economy and integrating into the global community, she could enjoy the economic development which in turn will help the improvement of workers environment both at home and abroad.
Managing Unskilled labor Migration in Myanmar Khin Maung Nyo
Related Organizations IOM Ministry of labor,employment and Social Security Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Home Affairs Civil Society
Status Primary source of country for the victims of trafficking in the GMS area Thailand,China,Indonesia - Key destination for purpose of forced labor,sexual exploitation,forced marriage,begging,fishing industry 3
Key Destination Internal Migration GMS Middle East and Gulf States East Asia-Korea and Japan
National Priority -Myanmar diplomats try to protect the rights of Myanmar migrant workers at every destination on limited resources. -Civil society organizations and international organizations should be recognized for their various attempts to help low skilled immigrant
National plan of Action Priority Area Enhanced Governance of labor migration Improved protection and empowerment of migrant workers Data Collection and Management Labor migration and development 7
Migrant Resource Centre Myawady Mawlamyine Hpaaan Magway and Yangon
Recent Developments Response to election result-better treatment of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand Thai culture and Law training at Chiangmai University 3 schools at border areas recognized by Myanmar Ministry of Education Action taken against 12 External Employment Agencies for misconduct
Challenges Remain Not enjoying minimum wages Lack of awareness among migrant workers- Rights, Procedures for recruitment, Place and Fees Widespread exploitations of undocumented workers Complex procedures through legal channel Safe and economically rewarding migration