Airport screenings increased after workers found using visit passports

Inspections are underway at the airport for the sake of the nation because there are cases where PV holders went abroad to work, Permanent Secretary U Nyunt Win of the Ministry of Labour told The Global News Light of Myanmar (GLNM) when asked about increased screenings at the airport.
“Actually, PV is a passport for visiting and leaving for abroad. Some foreign countries allow such visits. Normally, this type of visa must be granted. However, Myanmar embassies abroad found that there are also work visas or job visas. So, according to the type of passport issued by the Myanmar passport issuing office, it was found that the entry visa doesn’t match the passport,” he said.
If the workers go abroad with PV passports, the Ministry of Labour won’t be able to establish migrant workers’ records, he added.
“When people go to Middle East countries as maids, they face problems. Another thing is that the Ministry of Labour hasn’t allowed leaving for any country to work as maids. So, these problems arise. We can’t get the data. Without data, our plan to transfer 25 per cent of the basic salary to a parent or relatives in the country, which started in September 2023, will be difficult. The Ministry of Finance and Revenue will also find it difficult to collect a two per cent withholding income tax. If people go abroad to work with PV passports, we can’t carry out remittance and tax matters,” he explained.
If a person leaves with a passport for the job without being able to show an OWIC card, the airport or the border checkpoint will not allow the departure. Only those who can show their OWIC card, employment record, and PJ together are allowed to depart from the airport, jetty, or border post, he said.
“If we allow PV holders to leave to work, we will face many shortcomings in records, employment data, remittance, and income tax. So, we are screening with the coordination among the relevant ministries. This is for the benefit of the state,” he said.
Regarding increased checks at the airport, “There is no issue for those who go abroad with all requirements such as visa, documents and necessary steps being taken. However, we are screening those who are leaving and do not comply with the procedures,” Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, SAC’s Information Team Leader, told the BBC.
PJ passport holders who are going abroad must have an employment contract, a letter of invitation, an air ticket and an Overseas Work Identity Card (OWIC). As a PV passport holder, a UID (Unique Identification) card, a return ticket, proof of hotel reservation or stay location, and a certain amount of cash to show are required. – Htet Oo Maung/ZN/ED