Myanmar: Strengthening Migrant Protection in Domestic and International Labour Supply Chains

According to the 2014 census, more than 2 million Myanmar nationals are working abroad, mostly in Thailand, Malaysia, Republic of Korea and China. Many workers migrate using irregular channels and remain unregistered and undocumented, thus exposing themselves to potential risks of abuse, extortion and exploitation. Effective management of highly complex bilateral processes and their associated administrative procedures - which need to be constantly adapted to changing government regulations and migrant flows - is crucial and requires continued investment in strengthening government capacities both in Myanmar and in destination countries in the region.

The objective of the project is to contribute to the reduction of abuse, extortion and exploitation experienced by Myanmar migrants in destination countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, China and Republic of Korea.” In support of this objective, the outcomes to be achieved by the project are:

• “The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population (MOLIP), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement (MSWRR) consistently apply effective protection-oriented and gender-sensitive policies in support of Myanmar migrant workers” (Outcome 1). Key activities include the development of protection-oriented and gender-sensitive guidelines to support the development of Myanmar’s future bilateral labour agreements and creation of new pre-departure information content.

• “Myanmar diplomatic personnel, including consular officials, labour attachés and Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) counsellors, respond consistently and effectively to protection concerns, complaints and requests for assistance of migrant workers abroad, including victims of human trafficking and associated forms of exploitation and abuse” (Outcome 2). Key activities will include a review of existing practices of Myanmar diplomatic personnel and MRC counsellors, and development of and mentoring on formal protection-oriented and gender-sensitive operational guidelines for them.