By Hanthar Hein - Apr 10, 2025
A third batch of 27 Myanmar workers has been sent to the Russian Federation according to the Ministry of Labour.
The deployment took place on April 8 and was conducted in accordance with standard procedures, including signing agreements between the employer, employee, and recruitment agency, completion of pre-departure orientation, and issuance of the Overseas Worker Identification Card (OWIC).
Previously, on March 5, a pilot project had sent the first group of 24 Myanmar workers Russia. Another interpreter was dispatched on March 22 to assist the workers.
The deployment is being implemented through Vista International Co., Ltd, a licensed overseas employment agency in Myanmar, in cooperation with Russia’s Joint-Stock Company ‘Inturd’ Co., Ltd. As part of the pilot project, it was announced that a total of 54 skilled Myanmar workers would be sent to Russia. As of now, 52 have already been deployed.
It has been observed that the workers being sent to Russia are all men between the ages of 18 and 35, the age range currently restricted by the military council for traveling abroad. Russia appears to be an exception although the same restrictions apply to other countries.
“One worker preparing to go abroad commented, ‘The military council doesn't allow men aged 18 to 35 to go to other countries. Even those who return are not allowed to leave again. But permission is granted in the case of Russia. It seems like they are encouraging workers to go only to Russia and not to other countries,’” he said.
Negotiations are ongoing between the Ministry of Labour under the military council and Russia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation on labour affairs. However, as of now, the MoU has not yet been finalized.
Despite this, the Ministry of Labour stated that efforts will continue to send more Myanmar workers to Russia as part of strengthening long-term friendly relations between the two countries.
