Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok announces new regulations for migrants in Thailand

By Admin 25 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
25 October 2024, Sittwe

The Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok has said illegal Myanmar migrants can apply for a temporary work permit, which will allow them to work legally for one year in Thailand.

The announcement followed the Thai government's relaxation of regulations regarding stay and work permits for foreign workers.

Those who have overstayed their visas or are working without proper authorisation will benefit from the programme. Once granted, the temporary permit will allow them to live and work in Thailand for one year, according to the embassy.

Under regulations introduced by the regime, MoU workers or those holding certificates of identity (CIs) must renew their residence and work permit two years before the expiry. Previously, they could wait until six months before the expiry to apply for a renewal.

Labour rights activist Ko Lay Naing said: "At first glance, it appears to be a chance for illegal migrant workers to get legal status, but it is in fact an attempt to milk migrants. Previously, people crossed the border illegally, and their Thai employers helped apply for documents for them. Everything was fine. Now, people will have to renew their permits often."

Migrants will have to spend more as it costs 10,000 baht (around 1.3 million kyats) to renew their permits.

The latest order also aims to enforce the junta's remittance rule introduced last year, which requires migrant workers to remit at least 25 percent of their monthly salaries back home through the country's official banking system.

One labour rights activist said: "Perhaps, they are trying to pocket the money from Myanmar migrants as their remittance rule does not work. It will also pressure Myanmar nationals living in Thailand and opposing the regime."

The regime announced last month that it would not renew passports for Myanmar migrant workers who fail to remit 25 percent of their monthly salaries through the country's banking system.

As part of the relaxation of rules for migrant workers, the timeframe for switching jobs has been extended to 60 days, doubling the previous 30-day limit.

"Of the changes it has introduced, only this one is good. Previously, we could only stay [legally] one month without a job. Now, we have more time to find a new job," said Daw Than Htay, an Arakanese woman working in Thailand.

Workers changing employers only need to update their new or additional employment, and no longer need to submit employment details to the registration officer, according to the embassy.

Migrants can also apply for pink cards apart from the MoU and CI to officially work in Thailand. They can renew their passports at the embassy in Bangkok and the consulate in Chiang Mai. The two governments are negotiating to run a service centre for renewing CIs.