Boom in Burmese women seeking jobs in Malaysia

Boom in Burmese women seeking jobs in Malaysia
Tue 29 Jul 2008, IMNA
The number of Burmese women legally seeking jobs in Malaysia is mounting while a majority of women are still seeking jobs illegally in neighbouring countries.

At least 100 women from various part of Burma have flown abroad seeking jobs and at least 200 women applied for passports to the Burmese military government Ministry of Home Affairs, according to a agency handling work-permit visas.

"A majority of women target Malaysia because it is easier to get jobs after the Burmese government allowed Malaysia to send its workers. Compared to the past year there is an exodus," an employee of the agency said.

A majority of women seek jobs in sewing and glove making factories which pay 750-800 Ringgit (RM) according to the agency which takes installments of 450 RM per month from the women they send there.

Although the military government allows seeking jobs in Malaysia, it has banned women who applied for visa to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia because there Burmese women are sold to the sex industry.

According to a woman activist in Malaysia, a majority of women seek jobs in Malaysia to tackle family problems due to economic crisis in Burma.

Burmese women seek jobs in neighbouring Thailand and some are sold by traffickers to the sex industry and Thai businessmen. However Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation (MWAF) wants to end trafficking in women.

But without identifying the basic problems of women in Myanmar and solving it, trafficking in women will not end, Nan Yin from the Women's League of Burma in exile said at the MWAF founding day on July 3.