NAYPYITAW, 21 October 2021, (TON): Myanmar citizens trying to travel abroad for work have been prevented from leaving the country after the junta brought in new restrictions at airports last week.

Immigration staff at airports began turning travelers away on Friday after the junta-controlled labour ministry issued new rules requiring anyone leaving the country for work to have an Overseas Workers Identification Card, or OWIC, as well as a PJ passport.

In the past, people with passports issued for non-work visits, called PV passports, were also allowed to work abroad. Now, people with PV passports are reportedly being turned away if they also have work visas.

“They are just creating new laws as they please,” said a worker who is trying to leave the country to work in Singapore. “It’s really troubling for those of us who are trying to work abroad.”

The OWIC, also known as the smart card, was first introduced in 1999 but its use was never enforced, meaning many people leaving Myanmar for work have never been issued such cards or have never even heard of them.