By Yoon Sat - Jul 29, 2024

Employers say that the problem of loss of skilled workers is increasing in industries including the garment industry and the construction industry due to the lack of pay raise in Myanmar.

“Skilled workers are no longer here. It became difficult to hire. Tailors and construction experts went abroad. That's why the remaining skilled workers are encouraged and called by higher salary. Workers don't need to work hard until 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. Working until 5:00 p.m. is enough. The fabrics they sew must be beautiful and qualified. So that they can improve their skills. Daily wage raises are only for proficient workers not to leave the country,” said an employer.

The Skilled workers shortage is increasing as a large number of workers went legally or illegally to foreign countries which has the largest number of garment jobs such as Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and China due to political instability, the lack of pay raise for skilled workers, arrested and jailed and fired for demanding pay raise since after the coup d'état.

“Both the skilled and unskilled went to abroad. Because of the salary gab. It is difficult to earn 3 lakhs per month here. But its easy to get 12 lakhs there. Many people went to Laos with garment job. They went via the brokers although the employers would pay the expenses. Most expert workers from garment sector want to go to Laos. There would still be workers in the factory but less skilled workers and more trainees, said an overseas employment agent.

Currently, employers are facing the effects of a shortage of skilled workers, and skilled labors assumed that they don’t get fair wages in Myanmar.

At present, there is an increase in the number of internally displaced people from various divisions and states in Yangon. It is said that even though there are applications for new workers in the workshops, they only get paid low wages and a shortage of skilled workers have occurred significantly.