Research · Updates

Three Key Requests for Myanmar Workers from the NUG to Thailand

NUG

On December 4, the National Unity Government sent an appeal to the Thai government, requesting that despite the relaxation of the residency rights for Burmese, three elements would cause difficulties.

The Thai government issued a Non-Thai Identification Card (Pink Card) to Myanmar Migrant workers who do not have identification, an extension of the legal documents such as a Passport, and Certificate of Identity without having to return to Myanmar, however, some factors would make it difficult for the holders of those documents in the new process.

The NUG Labor Ministry’s appeal stated that (1) Requiring workers’ personal information to the SAC, (2) For visa or work permit extensions, the workers have to pay the designated fees, but also have to provide the tax payments to the SAC, and evidence of transferring money to families in Myanmar through military-designated banks and financial service providers, using exchanged rates dictated by the Central Bank of Myanmar, (3) the estimated costs for the process are projected to be double or even triple the previous expenses, so the previous extension and issuance process should be followed as before.

Thailand had more than two million people with some identity documents and more than 1.5 million without identity documents, which has been growing since the coup.