By Hanthar Hein - Mar 25, 2025
Approval for processing Overseas Worker Identification Card (OWIC) has not yet been granted as of March 25 although the military council's Ministry of Labour has instructed workers to apply for the through the postal system to Naypyidaw’s Department of Labour, according to both outbound workers and licensed agencies.
The OWIC card issuing offices were temporarily shut down without prior notice in the second week of February. On March 10, the state-run newspaper announced that OWIC cards would begin being reissued starting March 20, after the ministry reviewed submitted information in order.
However, it is now known that the Ministry of Labour under the military council has still not granted permission to process OWIC cards for those who have already applied.
“They’re only accepting applications for OWIC cards at the moment, but no approvals have been given yet. We heard that the OWIC card printing machines are being relocated and reconfigured, and that permissions to process them might not be issued until the first week of April,” said a representative from a licensed agency.
Because OWIC cards are still not being issued, agencies that send workers abroad are facing losses, and workers who already have signed employment contracts are growing increasingly anxious.
“It’s been almost three months since I signed a contract to go to Thailand. I still haven’t been allowed to take the training or get the OWIC card. When I called the agency, they said the ministry hasn’t issued approvals yet. Just thinking about the possibility of not being able to go keeps me awake at night since I’ve already paid the fees,” said one person preparing to work abroad.
In addition, workers returning on leave from overseas are also facing difficulties due to the unavailability of OWIC card processing.
“They told us to apply through the post, so we did. Now they’re saying the machines are being fixed—but is that even true? It’s starting to feel like they’re just dragging things out to block people from going abroad. If they say nothing will be done until April, how will all the people who planned to travel during the Thingyan holiday manage? If returning workers can’t get back to their jobs in time, a lot of people are going to face real losses,” said a worker currently on leave.
According to the military council’s newly revised policy, those planning to travel abroad legally must still apply for exit permission from the Ministry of Labour before leaving the country even after printing the OWIC card.
