Myanmar Junta to Send Migrant Workers to Russia in 2025

Myanmar’s junta is preparing to dispatch migrant workers to Russia in 2025, responding to a request from Russia amid its acute labor shortage of nearly 5 million workers due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, RFA reported yesterday. The first group will likely work in agriculture, livestock, construction, and factories, with a requirement to learn Russian.

Only two out of nearly 600 overseas employment agencies in Myanmar have secured licenses for this initiative, raising concerns about potential rights violations. Labor advocates warn that workers may face severe human rights abuses, likening the situation to previous mistreatment experienced by Myanmar migrants in China.

Kyaw Ni, deputy minister of labor for the shadow National Unity Government, accuses the junta of prioritizing tax revenue over worker welfare, stating, “The junta’s only concern is collecting income taxes.” This development highlights the risks faced by migrant workers in conflict-affected regions.