The government is currently drafting new regulations for foreign workers in Myanmar. Thein Swe, the minister of Labour, Immigration and Population, announced the government’s plan to govern the growing number of international workers seeking opportunity in Myanmar, at the second regular meeting of the second Amyotha Hluttaw, on July 26.
He was responding to a question from Khin Ma Gyi, from Constituency 8 in Kachin State, and said that the law will include rules for foreign workers and international investments. Khin Ma Gyi asked about the laws governing foreign workers in Myanmar, and whether or not foreigners had to pay tax.
“When our citizens work overseas, they have to pay fixed fees, respect the laws of their host country and get a work permit,” she said.“We have found that foreigners are working in Myanmar at local companies that have received foreign investment, in sectors such as construction, mining and minerals, roads and bridges, IT and services.”
International players have also joined local football teams, she said.“Foreign workers are working under many types of visa, which means fewer job opportunities for locals. As the volume of foreign investment rises, more workers will come from overseas,” she told parliament. The Union minister said foreign workers will have to follow the law once it is enacted.
