Myanmar’s junta-run Ministry of Labor has dispatched skilled workers to Russia as part of a pilot project aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, state-backed media reported Thursday.
The Mirror Daily Burmese reported that Myanmar and Russia are working to expand job opportunities for Myanmar workers as part of increased efforts to strengthen relations.
“In order to strengthen the friendship between the two countries, Myanmar Ministry of Labor together with the Russian Federation government are cooperating so Myanmar workers get job opportunities in Russia,” the report reads.
On Monday, 24 of 54 Myanmar workers were sent through Vista International Company, a recruitment agency, to work for the Russian firm Joint-Stock Company ‘Inturd.’ The report did not specify the type of labor they would be performing.
While an official memorandum of understanding (MoU) has yet to be signed, the pilot project is aimed at strengthening ties, according to the report. Meanwhile, both countries’ ministries are working on finalising a longer term agreement.
Since late last year, two recruitment agencies close to the Myanmar junta have made attempts to send laborers to Russia, an agency source recently told Myanmar Now.
“As we heard the job market in Russia is high, some other companies have also been trying, but many are companies close to the junta,” the source said. “Russia is considered as an ally, that’s why the junta wants to send more workers there.”
Myanmar’s basic daily wage is 6,800 kyat, which is equivalent to 1.5 in US dollars. Inflation since the coup has hit the population hard. And while prices continue to soar, even those living in non-conflict cities are also struggling to get by financially.
On Monday, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited the Kremlin, where he met with Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin. He has also had meetings with the Russian Prime Minister, and secretary of the national council including private business people.
According to the Russian government website, Min Aung Hlaing was reportedly invited to attend the 25th anniversary celebration of the signing of the “friendly relations” agreement between Russia and Myanmar.
During the visit, the junta chief signed an MoU on building a small-scale nuclear power plant with a capacity of 110 megawatts, which could be increased to 330 megawatts.
According to the Russian news agency Interfax, Russia is facing a labor shortage with an unemployment rate of 2.3 percent, citing the Minister of Economic Development. The country hopes to source its labor needs from countries throughout Asia, including Myanmar.
As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, the heavy recruitment of troops to the frontline has driven hundreds of thousands of Russian civilians out of the country, leading to the labor shortage.
It’s a similar story in Myanmar, where tens of thousands of young people have fled the country since mandatory conscription was first implemented last year. In January, the junta began restricting youth between the age of 18–35 from traveling abroad.
