Myanmar sent a total of 22,763 migrant workers to work abroad in September, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population said on Wednesday.
Of the total, about 18,543 workers went to Thailand while 3,340 to Malaysia and the rest to South Korea, Japan, Jordan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar.
It is estimated that as much as 20 per cent of Myanmar labour force is working abroad, with over 3 million Myanmar migrant workers employed in neighbouring Thailand and Malaysia alone.
Their skills and remittances contribute significantly to the country’s development. However, every year too many migrant workers are exploited by unscrupulous brokers.
Between April and July 2018, over 330 government officials from Myingyan, Kyaukse, Meiktila, Mandalay, and Kaw Thaung in the Tanintharyi Region received training on safer migration practices from the International Labour Organistation.
Meanwhile, the local labour authorities offered local employment to over 21,083 workers. Of them, 20,548 are in private sector during the period.
The ministry is striving to create more job opportunities through online labour exchange management system.
SOURCE: Khmer Times
