Roles of Countries of Origin during Covid-19 Pandemic

During the current Covid-19 crisis, migrants make decisions under high financial and time pressure, and based on a complex range of factors, which include, but not limited to family needs, economic necessity, health concerns, sense of belonging, practical consideration such as border closure and re-immigration possibility, job availability, future hopes and aspirations. To assist migrants to make the most beneficial decisions for their well-being, as well as the well-being of their families, governments of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam must ensure migrants’ access to accurate and timely information, strengthen embassies’ availability to assist migrants in destination countries, regulate recruitment agencies to protect prospective migrants, secure sufficient support for migrant returnees and their families, and coordinate with destination countries to provide access to social protection for migrants abroad.

Read responses of each Mekong country to Covid-19 concerning migrants here

MMN’s Area of Focus on GMS Migrants during Covid-19 Pandemic can be found here

“Hands-up those who do not have a work permit” - Migrants returning to Myanmar at the Second Friendship Bridge Mae Sot. Here an Immigration officer asks those who are returning home about their Visa status.
“Hands-up those who do not have a work permit” - Migrants returning to Myanmar at the Second Friendship Bridge Mae Sot. Here an Immigration officer asks those who are returning home about their Visa status.
A mother and her child undergo a temperature check before returning back to Myanmar; at the check point of Second Friendship Bridge, Mae Sot.
A mother and her child undergo a temperature check before returning back to Myanmar; at the check point of Second Friendship Bridge, Mae Sot.
Soe Lwin came to Thailand 23 years ago, working on oil palm plantations for 18 years. He and his wife and son will have to extend their work permits soon and it will cost at least 35,000 baht (1,167 USD). He is planning to negotiate with a broker to pay in installments.
Soe Lwin came to Thailand 23 years ago, working on oil palm plantations for 18 years. He and his wife and son will have to extend their work permits soon and it will cost at least 35,000 baht (1,167 USD). He is planning to negotiate with a broker to pay in installments.
Shin Naung applied to the Myanmar Embassy for repatriation assistance in July 2020, but unfortunately her mobile phone later broke and the embassy could not reach them for months. Staying longer in Thailand only further exacerbates her debt situation.
Shin Naung applied to the Myanmar Embassy for repatriation assistance in July 2020, but unfortunately her mobile phone later broke and the embassy could not reach them for months. Staying longer in Thailand only further exacerbates her debt situation.
Sutee, a Cambodian migrant construction worker in Chiang Mai Province. Lack of work during lockdowns prevents Sutee from earning sufficient income, and he had to borrow money from his foreman and buy food and supplies on a credit system from a mobile shop.
Sutee, a Cambodian migrant construction worker in Chiang Mai Province. Lack of work during lockdowns prevents Sutee from earning sufficient income, and he had to borrow money from his foreman and buy food and supplies on a credit system from a mobile shop.
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In particular, as the pandemic and its economic impacts persist, and as migration to some key destination countries has restarted, we continue to urge governments of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam to pursue the following recommendations, highlighted in MMN Press Releases and Statements since the Covid-19 outbreaks:

  1. Provide clear and comprehensive information to migrants regarding repatriation, including: quarantine costs; necessary process and helpful contacts; and endeavour to keep any costs to a minimum.
  2. Strengthen the support provided by diplomatic missions and labour attachés, including: enhancing information dissemination for migrants via various communication channels; securing sufficient human resources to respond to inquiries and reports from migrants; and increasing the effectiveness and capacity of embassy and consulate support services.
  3. Provide appropriate support for families who have lost income as a result of the return of migrant family members. Should these measures be part of respective countries’ relief packages for those who have lost income as a result of the adverse economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, such relief measures must include migrants and migrant returnees. Relax documentation requirements to ensure that all migrant returnees have access to public healthcare, regardless of their household registration status.
  4. Ensure safe deployment by providing prospective migrants with the most up-to-date information regarding the Covid-19 situation, including: required quarantine and other health check processes; occupational health and safety measures to be applied during the pandemic; complaint reporting mechanisms, access to justice, and health and social protection rights entitlements in destination countries.
  5. Monitor and mandate recruitment agencies to ensure that migrant workers who are not able to be deployed can terminate their contracts and receive refunds together with their personal documents.
  6. Collaborate with destination countries to pursue a zero recruitment fee model where all the cost related to migration is shouldered by employers or subsidised by government. Where there is ambiguity, such as quarantine costs for migrants, issue clear guidelines as to who is responsible, and establish mechanisms to ensure migrants’ salary and benefit are not deducted as a consequence.

List of all MMN press releases and Statements during Covid-19 pandemic is available here

Excerpts from Migrants' Interviews
"First, I think I want them to back home (Cambodia). But because of Covid-19 and Thai government closed the border, and their workplace still have work to do and they can’t come back, I decided to call tell them again to staying Thailand; it’s better than come to hometown and I told them I can take care their children, and if they come back, they will no work to do."
Family member of a Cambodian migrant in Thailand
"I saw and read embassy posted information of health related to covid-19. I didn’t contact them. I didn’t know how to contact them."
32-year-old Myanmar migrant, working in food processing and contruction, who returned from Thailand before April 2020. She has worked in Thailand for 7 years.
"I learnt [information about border closure/immigration updates] from FB of the embassy of Cambodia. I once contacted to embassy for more information but could not get through. I also knew in the updated situation from other migrants."
Female Cambodian migrant, working in agriculture in Chonburi, who returned from Thailand during the pandemic
"I get information and support regarding from my embassy and police officer at the border to allow me to back to Cambodia, and some support some mask and checking health before bring me to the hometown."
25-year-old female Cambodian migrant, working in a sugarcane farm, who returned from Thailand in late January, 2020
"I came back with other migrant returnees. I paid 1,500 Baht to the facilitator and 400 Baht for the travelling. I felt concerned of being arrest as my border pass was with my employer. Arriving near border, I and other returned had to walk through forest to cross border."
Female Cambodian migrant, who used to work in agriculture, returned from Thailand during the pandemic
"When I arrived my hometown, my local authority came to home and help me to access social protection. And I got some supports from local authority and NGO also. I satisfied with the benefits. As you know I just delivered a baby and I can’t do work. So, all supports can help me a lot. "
23-year-old Cambodian migrant, who used to work in manufacturing in Samut Prakan but had returned to Cambodia during the pandemic
"Covid-19 affect to my family life more difficult and so bad. By expend too much without income and my children stop to study and my parent now getting sick too but I think that is okay will try my best to take care my family and it’s better than I come back to Thailand during this time, I will got nothing and Thailand do not allow return migrant worker to go back also."
Female Cambodian migrant, who returned from Thailand at the early stage of the outbreak
"No job, so it's difficult for my family subsistence. It is very difficult. I am now just helping my father in law with his work. I planned to come back just for a short times so I didn’t think ahead of having job here, and finding a temporary job here is difficult and no one want to hire."
34-year-old male Myanmar migrant, who used to work in agriculture sector in Surat Thani, Thailand for 6 years. He returned to Myanmar shortly after he first heard about the outbreak.
"I want the migration process to be quicker, it will be good for us. In the past we have to wait too long to be able to migrate, and it is not good for us. In order to migrate, we have to invested, we didn’t have money and have to borrow money and mortgage our property to other with interest. The interest increased over time and if we have to wait too long without having job, we have to face the consequences. "
21-year-old female Myanmar migrant, who used to work in manufacturing sector in Takanapu, but returned to Myanmar during Covid-19 pandemic
"It will be good if they control the price of migration keep it affordable. And brokers are kind of asking a lot amount of money from migrant workers, if the government can eliminate it, it will be for workers who want to work abroad. If they can do this, it will be easier for up coming workers to migrant. For me I think if both government can coordinate and recruit workers officially."
38-year-old male Myanmar migrant, working in construction sector in Thailand, who returned to Myanmar during the pandemic
"To Cambodia government: to issue Poor ID card to the poor migrant, so that they can access to social security support; To Thai government: to widely disseminate the employment information and safety measures, and provide the emergency support to migrant workers."
Female Cambodian MOU migrant worker, having lived in Thailand for 10 years, who returned to Cambodia during Covid-19 pandemic
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