Thousands of job seekers stranded in Muse for months

By Admin 26 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
26 December 2024, Mrauk-U

Thousands of migrant workers, including Arakan State residents, are going hungry and struggling to make ends meet in Muse, a town on the Myanmar-China border in northern Shan State.

Workers from areas as far as Yangon and Magway regions, and Arakan and Kachin states, who came to Muse with hopes of finding jobs in China have been stranded for months as Chinese authorities are not granting entry permits.

“Since we haven’t been able to work for a long time, we’ve run out of money. Some have to eat on credit at eateries run by Arakanese owners. For accommodation, we share rooms to make it through,” said a young Arakanese man in Muse.

Many of the people stranded came after agents promised jobs in China. The rest arrived in Muse from China to renew their labour cards, but China has denied them entry and re-entry, respectively.

Most are also unable to return to their hometowns due to travel and financial difficulties.

“Muse is full of people who are trying to get into China. Some were swindled by agents. Some Arakan residents can’t contact their families to get money sent and are struggling here,” said another Arakanese man in Muse.

More than 500 Myanmar workers brought by agents with promises of jobs in China are stuck in a warehouse in Muse, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) reported on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, some Myanmar workers stranded in Muse have illegally crossed the border into China, often only to find themselves arrested.

“Many people who came to work in China are stranded in Muse. I’ve been here for over two months. Some try to cross the border illegally. Some could make their way into China. But others get arrested,” said a Myanmar migrant worker.