Labour attachés assigned to Singapore and Kuwait

NAY PYI TAW—Myanmar is planning to appoint labour attachés in Singapore and Kuwait, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Warfare Aye Myint said on Wednesday, at a ceremony in the nation’s capital marking International Migrant Workers Day.

Labour attachés are already assigned to Thailand, South Korea and Malaysia, where Myanmar migrant workers are actively struggling to protect their labour rights.

“We planned this in order to help migrant workers overseas, if they face problems related with labour rights. We also intend to help workers who want to return,” the minister said.

Although Myanmar migrants are not allowed to work in some Middle East countries, the government has arranged to appoint labour attachés in countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait, where most Myanmar migrant workers can be found in the region.

At present, Myanmar migrants are working in 15 countries including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and the UAE. From 1990 through November this year, more than 1.8 million workers from Myanmar travelled overseas for jobs. Although most were processed through employment agencies, there have many workers who have gone overseas illegally.

source: Eleven Myanmar

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/national/4498-labour-attaches-assigned-to-singapore-and-kuwait