{"id":19258,"date":"2021-06-27T17:35:19","date_gmt":"2021-06-27T09:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mekongmigration.org\/?page_id=19258"},"modified":"2022-01-11T13:26:05","modified_gmt":"2022-01-11T05:26:05","slug":"mekong-countries-of-origin-response-to-the-covid-19-pandemic_stefan-draft","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mekongmigration.org\/?page_id=19258","title":{"rendered":"Mekong countries of origin response to the COVID-19 pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"19258\" class=\"elementor elementor-19258\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0472c51 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0472c51\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-624f88b elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"624f88b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-cd40e50 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cd40e50\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-dc0a55a\" data-id=\"dc0a55a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-533d922 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"533d922\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Mekong countries' response to the COVID-19 pandemic<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-51b4798\" data-id=\"51b4798\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37caa89 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"37caa89\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The information on this page was last updated in June 2021. Visit MMN&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mekongmigration.org\/?page_id=138\">Migration News Archive<\/a> for the latest information.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bc453b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6bc453b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This page was created as part of MMN\u2019s ongoing efforts to monitor the role of Mekong countries in protecting migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each country profile below begins with an overview of migration along with statistics to give context to the cross-border flows in the region. It is followed by a summary of the government initiatives in safeguarding overseas nationals or the in-country migrant population during the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, a timeline supplements each profile to highlight the important events that have taken place in relation to COVID-19 and migration since March 2020.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf9071f elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-tabs\" data-id=\"bf9071f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div data-scroll-on-click=\"no\" data-scroll-speed=\"300\" id=\"eael-advance-tabs-bf9071f\" class=\"eael-advance-tabs eael-tabs-horizontal eael-tab-auto-active  active-caret-on\" data-tabid=\"bf9071f\">\n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-nav\">\n                <ul class=\"\" role=\"tablist\">\n                                            <li id=\"cambodia\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"cambodia-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Cambodia<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"myanmar\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"myanmar-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Myanmar<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"vietnam\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"vietnam-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Vietnam<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"lao-pdr\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"lao-pdr-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Lao PDR<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"thailand\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"thailand-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Thailand<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-content\">\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"cambodia-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"cambodia-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t                                    \t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"19486\" class=\"elementor elementor-19486\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-3dc36b21 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3dc36b21\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-20498a50\" data-id=\"20498a50\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42db0651 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-tabs\" data-id=\"42db0651\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div data-scroll-on-click=\"no\" data-scroll-speed=\"300\" id=\"eael-advance-tabs-42db0651\" class=\"eael-advance-tabs eael-tabs-horizontal eael-tab-auto-active  active-caret-on\" data-tabid=\"42db0651\">\n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-nav\">\n                <ul class=\"\" role=\"tablist\">\n                                            <li id=\"overview\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"overview-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Overview<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"timeline\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"timeline-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Timeline<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-content\">\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"overview-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"overview-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t        <p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Context of Migration and Statistics<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An estimated 1,100,000 Cambodians live abroad according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/wcmsp5\/groups\/public\/---asia\/---ro-bangkok\/documents\/genericdocument\/wcms_735105.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2020 figures<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Neighbouring Thailand is the most popular destination for Cambodian migrant workers. As of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.go.th\/prd\/assets\/upload\/files\/alien_th\/b4d395ff0f55dac76797e41520e0d1b5.pdf\">May 2021<\/a>, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">192,161 Cambodian nationals <\/span>had <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">migrated to Thailand through processes established under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Cambodia and Thailand in 2015. Meanwhile, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">140,546 Cambodians<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were completing the nationality verification process as part of the registration process for undocumented migrants inside Thailand. A further <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">70,076 Cambodians<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> remained in Thailand under the Thai government\u2019s 4 August 2020 Resolution that allows those who possess the requisite documentation to continue employment until the end of May 2022. Many more undocumented workers are in Thailand, with their number <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.khmertimeskh.com\/50807456\/debt-main-reason-for-cambodians-seeking-jobs-in-thailand\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">believed to exceed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that of documented Cambodian migrants.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides Thailand, other key destination countries for Cambodian workers include Korea (with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.immigration.go.kr\/immigration\/1569\/subview.do?enc=Zm5jdDF8QEB8JTJGYmJzJTJGaW1taWdyYXRpb24lMkYyMjclMkY1NDc5MjglMkZhcnRjbFZpZXcuZG8lM0Y%3D\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">32,594<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> documented Cambodian workers as of April 2021) and Malaysia (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/wcmsp5\/groups\/public\/---asia\/---ro-bangkok\/documents\/genericdocument\/wcms_614381.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3,321<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as of September 2019).<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Summary of Responses to COVID-19<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the beginning of the outbreak, the International Organization for Migration reports that around <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/wcmsp5\/groups\/public\/---asia\/---ro-bangkok\/documents\/genericdocument\/wcms_735105.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">120,000 migrants returned to Cambodia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from various destination countries (up until December 2020). Zooming in on the migration corridor between Cambodia and Thailand, a total of 55,666 returnees (between March and November 2020) accessed the major border crossing in Poipet. Of these individuals, 31,000 returned under their own steam or were assisted in some form by the Cambodian authorities. More than 24,000 (up to 20%) were formally deported, according to government figures obtained by MMN.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following provides a brief summary of the Cambodian government\u2019s efforts to assist migrant workers during the outbreak:<\/span><\/p><ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><li><b>Repatriation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Cambodian government arranged operations to repatriate their nationals in some destination countries. In Malaysia, the Cambodian Embassy <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.khmertimeskh.com\/50807848\/6-migrant-workers-and-baby-repatriated-from-malaysia\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arranged<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> eight repatriation flights<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in 2020 to bring back 1,074 Cambodians, including migrant workers. Migrants reportedly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.khmertimeskh.com\/50807848\/6-migrant-workers-and-baby-repatriated-from-malaysia\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">paid<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 1,000 ringgit, or 230 USD for the flight. There is no reported operation to repatriate nationals from Thailand.<\/span><\/li><li><b>Quarantine: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Migrant returnees are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Those returning from Thailand are required to undergo quarantine at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-cambodia-thailand-migrants-feature-tr-idUSKBN2AQ03B\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">facilities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> along the Thai-Cambodian border. Accommodation and food expenses are covered by the government.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><b>Overseas Assistance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cambodian Embassies in several destination countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, and Korea <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cambojanews.com\/migrant-workers-home-from-malaysia-at-last\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">provided<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> surgical masks, disinfectant, food, and monetary assistance to migrant workers and overseas students. The Cambodian Embassy in Malaysia was <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.khmertimeskh.com\/50807848\/6-migrant-workers-and-baby-repatriated-from-malaysia\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reported<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to have provided food aid to 3,894 Cambodian families. In Thailand, the Cambodian Embassy assisted its nationals by helping them extend their documents free of charge, and providing support to those in critical condition with COVID-19 symptoms. <br \/><\/span><\/li><li><b>Government Assistance to Returnees: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An MMN research in 2021 finds that migrant returnees and their family face difficulty in finding well-paying jobs that provide a stable income. Rising debt and an inability to re-migrate to Thailand through regular channels during the pandemic are additional sources of hardship. In August 2020, the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT) in collaboration with UN bodies <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cambodia.un.org\/en\/53114-high-level-meeting-rgc-joint-program-support-returning-%20migrants-during-covid-19-crisis-and\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">launched<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a programme specifically targeting migrant returnees, which aims to provide 1. better access to COVID-19 information;\u00a0 2. \u201cEssential healthcare services\u201d including \u201cmental health and GBV [Gender-based Violence] support, child and maternal care; and 3. \u201cIndividual or community economic reintegration package\u201d.<\/span><\/li><li><b>International Cooperation during the Pandemic<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The Cambodian and Thai governments <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phnompenhpost.com\/national\/migrants-can-extend-thailand-travel-docs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">coordinated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the decision to extend legal documents of Cambodian migrant workers who are already in Thailand. Based on this agreement, migrants in Thailand can have their travel documents extended at the Embassy free of charge. In addition, the two governments have reportedly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.khmertimeskh.com\/50780880\/cambodia-and-thailand-agree-on-migrant-worker-mou\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">agreed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on a Memorandum of Understanding that would allow Cambodian migrant workers, whose contracts would soon expire, to extend their contracts for a two-year period. <\/span><\/li><li><b>Support from other Stakeholders: <\/b>Workers\u2019 Union (The National Union Alliance Chamber of Cambodia) and recruitment agency associations (Manpower Association of Cambodia and Association of Cambodian Recruitment Agency) in interviews with MMN claimed that they have assisted migrant workers who lost their jobs and whose documents expired. They also assisted in accessing social protection and claiming compensation as well as other social security benefits in destination countries. However, in Thailand, only a sizable number of migrant workers can benefit from the support of recruitment agencies, as most migrate without using their services. An MMN research in 2021 also finds that among those interviewed who used an agency to migrate, none received any COVID-related information from their agencies.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"timeline-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"timeline-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t        <p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>19 March 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In response to the first wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand, the Cambodian Embassy in Thailand <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/general\/1881345\/cambodian-workers-told-not-to-leave-thailand-amid-covid-19-fears\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">urged<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> migrant workers to stay put in the country to contain the spread of the virus.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>23 March 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Thai government <a href=\"https:\/\/www.matichon.co.th\/region\/news_2079870\">closed<\/a> the land border checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia. However, in the days before and after the border closure, <a href=\"https:\/\/thethaiger.com\/news\/national\/riot-fears-reopen-closed-thai-border-checkpoints-as-migrant-workers-flee\">large numbers of Cambodian migrants<\/a> arrived in an attempt to cross. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>8 April 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Cambodian government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.khmertimeskh.com\/50710632\/mandatory-quarantine-to-be-enforced-for-all-entering-cambodia\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">set up<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> quarantine facilities for migrant workers returning on land or by air. All migrant workers are subject to a 14-day quarantine. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>27 May 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/cambodia\/border-05272020172815.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that borders were to reopen to Cambodian nationals who were stranded abroad. They were not required to obtain a report certifying that they were COVID-free before returning to the country. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>11 August 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT) in collaboration with UN bodies <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.khmertimeskh.com\/50754001\/covid-19-relief-for-migrant-workers-rolled-out-in-kingdom\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">launched<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> an economic relief plan targeting migrant returnees.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>20 December 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In response to the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.khmertimeskh.com\/50795385\/border-tightened-mandatory-quarantine-for-everyone-crossing-cambodia-thai-border-after-thailand-outbreak\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">urged<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> migrant workers to stay put in Thailand, and at the same time, ordered 70 military trucks to transport returnees from the border to quarantine facilities. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>21 December 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Cambodian government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.khmertimeskh.com\/50795853\/quarantined-at-border-recruitment-agencies-to-suspend-sending-workers-to-thailand-until-further-notice\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suspended<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> recruitment agencies from sending migrant workers to Thailand. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>7 March 2021<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phnompenhpost.com\/national\/migrants-good-health-spared-quarantine-border\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that only returnees from Thailand who were suspected of having COVID-19 would be subject to quarantine. However, as Thailand experienced a third wave of the pandemic beginning from March, the decision appears to have been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phnompenhpost.com\/national\/border-provinces-seek-control-flow-migrants\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rescinded<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as returnees were required to take COVID-19 tests and were subject to mandatory quarantine upon return. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t                    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"myanmar-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"myanmar-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t                                    \t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"19490\" class=\"elementor elementor-19490\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-2133f36f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2133f36f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-26833697\" data-id=\"26833697\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17f2470 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-tabs\" data-id=\"17f2470\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div data-scroll-on-click=\"no\" data-scroll-speed=\"300\" id=\"eael-advance-tabs-17f2470\" class=\"eael-advance-tabs eael-tabs-horizontal eael-tab-auto-active  active-caret-on\" data-tabid=\"17f2470\">\n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-nav\">\n                <ul class=\"\" role=\"tablist\">\n                                            <li id=\"overview\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"overview-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Overview<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"timeline\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"timeline-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Timeline<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-content\">\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"overview-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"overview-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t        <p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Context of Migration and Statistics<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The International Labour Organization <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/asia\/projects\/WCMS_622433\/lang--en\/index.htm.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">estimates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that as many as 10% of the country\u2019s labour force resides abroad. Neighbouring Thailand is by far the most popular destination country for Myanmar workers. As of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.go.th\/prd\/assets\/upload\/files\/alien_th\/b4d395ff0f55dac76797e41520e0d1b5.pdf\">May 2021<\/a>, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">372,292 migrants<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> had migrated through processes established by an MOU signed between Myanmar and Thailand in 2016; 758,338<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0were completing the nationality verification process that allows undocumented migrants in Thailand to register with the authorities and regularise their status. A further <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">159,560 workers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> remained in Thailand under the Thai government\u2019s 4 August 2020 Resolution that allows those who possess the requisite documentation to continue employment until the end of May 2022. There are <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mekongmigration.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Book_Social-Protection-Across-Borders_for-Web.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at least as many<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> undocumented workers in the country as there are documented.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of September 2019, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/wcmsp5\/groups\/public\/---asia\/---ro-bangkok\/documents\/genericdocument\/wcms_614381.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">140,461<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Myanmar migrant workers were officially working in Malaysia. However, the number of documented and undocumented migrant workers could actually be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irrawaddy.com\/news\/burma\/malaysiamyanmar-workers-bound-for-malaysia-stuck-with-stifl%20ing-fees.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as high as 420,000<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. China is also a popular destination country for Myanmar migrant workers, although data thereof can be hard to come by. A further <a href=\"https:\/\/www.immigration.go.kr\/immigration\/1569\/subview.do?enc=Zm5jdDF8QEB8JTJGYmJzJTJGaW1taWdyYXRpb24lMkYyMjclMkY1NDc5MjglMkZhcnRjbFZpZXcuZG8lM0Y%3D\">20,844<\/a> migrants work in Korea as of April 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Summary of Responses to COVID-19<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><em>All information mentioned below as responses of the Myanmar government only refers to responses of Myanmar civilian government before the military coup in February 1st, 2021. MMN will present information related to the situation of Myanmar migrants after the coup in a separate section of the website.<\/em><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Between March 2020 when the COVID-19 outbreak began and October 2020, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/wcmsp5\/groups\/public\/---asia\/---ro-bangkok\/documents\/genericdocument\/wcms_735107.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">167,000 migrant workers returned<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Thailand, Myanmar, and China. Official figures in November 2020 suggest that approximately 122,000 returned from Thailand alone (Government figures obtained by MMN). The following provides a brief summary of the Myanmar government\u2019s efforts to assist migrant workers during the outbreak:\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><li><b>Repatriation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Myanmar government arranged operations to repatriate their nationals in some destination countries. In Thailand, the Myanmar Embassy arranged buses to transport stranded Myanmar migrant workers between 26 May and 30 June. Migrants wishing to be repatriated were required to register with the Embassy and pay 1,050 Baht (USD 33.25) towards the cost of transportation. In total, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/reliefweb.int\/report\/myanmar\/iom-myanmar-covid-19-response-situation-report-6-23-may-2020\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 buses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> transported 210 Myanmar migrants per day from Bangkok to the Myanmar border. In Malaysia, the Myanmar Embassy <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Myanmar-Embassy-in-Kuala-Lumpur-Malaysia-1532321607022165\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arranged<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more than 100 flights to repatriate stranded migrant workers and Myanmar nationals who were detained at immigration detention centres. A plane ticket could be bought from the Myanmar Embassy for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/permalink.php?story_fbid=2875959602658352&amp;id=1532321607022165\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">759 Ringgit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or 183 USD.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Quarantine: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Migrant returnees are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmtimes.com\/news\/flood-returning-myanmar-workers-strains-quarantine-capacity.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">subject to quarantine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a 14-day period in facilities. Quarantine for those officially repatriated are provided free of charge, although returnees who tested positive for COVID-19 are required to shoulder the cost of subsequent medical treatment, according to an MMN key informant interview.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Information Dissemination: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Myanmar Embassies in Thailand and Malaysia used their Facebook pages as channels to disseminate information. The Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok created its <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Myanmar-Embassy-Bangkok-100627225082545\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">official Facebook page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on 25 July 2020 (prior to that, the Labour Attach\u00e9 office hosted its own page). Information on the page includes absentee voting procedures for Myanmar migrants in Thailand, and details of the various services offered by the Embassy, including: letters of recommendation; passport extensions; replacement of lost passports; and witness letters for the purpose of personal identification. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Myanmar-Embassy-in-Kuala-Lumpur-Malaysia-1532321607022165\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">official Facebook page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Myanmar Embassy in Malaysia contains information related to the renewal of passports and certificates of identity, and details of repatriation operations, including the method of purchasing a flight ticket. Information posted on the Myanmar Embassies\u2019 Facebook pages appeared in the Burmese language. No information was made available in any of Myanmar\u2019s various ethnic minority languages.<\/span><\/li><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Overseas Assistance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Myanmar Embassy in Thailand supported migrants with issues such as passport\/document confiscation and wage loss. It also facilitated the release of several migrants who were detained at immigration detention centres in Thailand, and organized advance voting for 10,000 Myanmar nationals residing in the country. In terms of supporting access to social protection, the Embassy assisted workers register under the Social Security Fund to apply for unemployment benefits. However, very few migrant workers actually received unemployment benefits owing to the complicated procedures (MMN key informant interview). According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Myanmar-Embassy-in-Kuala-Lumpur-Malaysia-1532321607022165\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">official Facebook page <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of the Myanmar Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, the Embassy facilitated the release and repatriation of migrant detainees at immigration detention centres, arranged repatriation flights for stranded Myanmar nationals, assisted with the renewal of travel documents, and arranged advance voting. <\/span><\/li><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Government Assistance to Returnees: <\/b>Cash assistance and food provisions have been periodically <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irrawaddy.com\/specials\/myanmar-covid-19\/myanmar-offers-struggling-families-covid-19-cash.html\">provided<\/a> to low income households, though not specifically targeting migrant returnees. This has included three separate handouts of 20,000 kyats (USD 15) and one of 40,000 kyats (USD 30) per household. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irrawaddy.com\/specials\/myanmar-covid-19\/myanmar-offers-struggling-families-covid-19-cash.html\">Reports<\/a> indicate that these handouts have not been distributed in a systematic way, with many low income households excluded for no apparent reason.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"timeline-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"timeline-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t        <p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>18 March 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Myanmar government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irrawaddy.com\/news\/burma\/myanmar-closes-land-borders-foreigners.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> its land borders with India, China, Thailand, and Lao PDR. However, after the border closure, large numbers of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/asiatimes.com\/2020\/03\/migrant-workers-flee-thailand-after-virus-lockdown\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arrived at the border<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in an attempt to cross.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recruitment agencies <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmtimes.com\/news\/myanmar-stops-sending-workers-abroad.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">were ordered<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to stop processing applications of prospective migrants to all destination countries. <\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>22 March 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Returnees from Thailand <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irrawaddy.com\/news\/burma\/thai-border-closures-covid-19-spark-myanmar-migrants-return-health-concerns.html?fbclid=IwAR2w0EjXXV7Kwv8cG5FzTe8okR-na9PwaBPPTmtEimKFlYbv99hks-N93KI\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">were asked <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to quarantine for 14-days at home owing to limited quarantine facilities. The government later <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mofa.gov.mm\/%E1%80%94%E1%80%9A%E1%80%BA%E1%80%85%E1%80%95%E1%80%BA%E1%80%82%E1%80%AD%E1%80%90%E1%80%BA%E1%80%99%E1%80%BB%E1%80%AC%E1%80%B8%E1%80%99%E1%80%BE%E1%80%90%E1%80%85%E1%80%BA%E1%80%86%E1%80%84%E1%80%B7\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that returnees would be subject to a 14-day quarantine at quarantine centres as government facilities were being prepared. Migrant workers were also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/burma.irrawaddy.com\/news\/2020\/03\/30\/219550.html?fbclid=IwAR0s6h0j0aV1kGqubMz1px7sUi8e_OQpoY6B-6quWQjgAlzu8ZENt30JYHM\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">instructed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to return after 15 April. <\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>28 April 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Myanmar government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irrawaddy.com\/specials\/myanmar-covid-19\/myanmar-launches-sweeping-covid-19-economic-relief-plan.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">launched<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the COVID-19 economic relief plan, though the plan is not specifically targeting Myanmar migrant workers and returnees.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>22 May 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Myanmar Embassy in Thailand and the Thai government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/general\/1922820\/myanmar-gears-up-for-repatriation-push\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arranged<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> buses to transport stranded migrant workers to the Thai-Myanmar land border checkpoint. The buses were to run until 20 June 2020. <\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>8 August 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Myanmar Embassy in Malaysia <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/elevenmyanmar.com\/news\/over-10000-undocumented-myanmar-citizens-in-malaysia-to-be-repatriated-by-relief-flight\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plans to arrange flights to repatriate more than 10,000 stranded undocumented migrant workers in Malaysia.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>13 August 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Myanmar Overseas Employment Agency Federation <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myanmar.mmtimes.com\/news\/142379.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that prospective migrants could resume travel to Japan and Korea using a recruitment agency. On 18 August, the Ministry of Health and Sport of Myanmar <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/burmese.dvb.no\/archives\/405142\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that migrants travelling to Thailand, Japan, and Korea were required to take a COVID-19 test before departure.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>December 2020 to January 2021<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thailand experienced the second wave of the pandemic in the country. Myanmar migrant workers in Samut Sakhon were <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/thailand-covid-outbreak-among-myanmar-workers-sparks-anti-migrant-backlash\/a-56075165\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">barred<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from leaving the province, and were among those who <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2020-12-21\/thailand-reports-biggest-covid-19-surge-with-500-cases-lockdown\/13001370\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tested positive<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the virus. <\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>February to March 2021<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The military coup in Myanmar <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/asia.nikkei.com\/Spotlight\/Myanmar-Coup\/Coup-strands-over-a-million-Myanmar-workers-in-Thailand#:~:text=According%20to%20Thailand's%20labor%20ministry,expatriate%20community%20in%20the%20world.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prompted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> protests among migrants across Thailand, which Thai authorities warned were in violation of the National Emergency Decree. <\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>1-15 June 2021<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Myanmar government <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/burmese.dvb.no\/archives\/469962\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stopped admitting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> migrant returnees from Thailand at the border for 15 days. On 15 June, the government announced that a maximum of 200 migrant workers can cross the border every other day. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t                    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"vietnam-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"vietnam-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t                                    \t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"19494\" class=\"elementor elementor-19494\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-189402a7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"189402a7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5ed828e0\" data-id=\"5ed828e0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-118cb787 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-tabs\" data-id=\"118cb787\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div data-scroll-on-click=\"no\" data-scroll-speed=\"300\" id=\"eael-advance-tabs-118cb787\" class=\"eael-advance-tabs eael-tabs-horizontal eael-tab-auto-active  active-caret-on\" data-tabid=\"118cb787\">\n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-nav\">\n                <ul class=\"\" role=\"tablist\">\n                                            <li id=\"overview\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"overview-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Overview<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"timeline\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"timeline-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Timeline<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-content\">\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"overview-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"overview-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t        <p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Context of Migration and Statistics<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An estimated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vietnamnews.vn\/society\/571238\/viet-nam-sends-more-than-650000-workers-overseas.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">650,000<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Vietnamese nationals work abroad in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/wcmsp5\/groups\/public\/---asia\/---ro-bangkok\/documents\/genericdocument\/wcms_735109.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over 40 territories and countries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Japan and Taiwan remain the<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.molisa.gov.vn\/Pages\/tintuc\/chitiet.aspx?tintucID=29177\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> two major destination economies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, accounting for almost 90% of the total number of documented Vietnamese migrants deployed overseas. Of late, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of Vietnamese migrants going to Japan, accounting for nearly 50% of the total number of deployed workers. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/wcmsp5\/groups\/public\/---asia\/---ro-bangkok\/documents\/genericdocument\/wcms_735109.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Korea<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is also a popular destination country, though the number of Vietnamese migrants in the country (around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.immigration.go.kr\/immigration\/1569\/subview.do?enc=Zm5jdDF8QEB8JTJGYmJzJTJGaW1taWdyYXRpb24lMkYyMjclMkY1NDc5MjglMkZhcnRjbFZpZXcuZG8lM0Y%3D\">29,086<\/a> as of April 2021) is much lower compared to that in Japan and in Taiwan.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the rate of outbound migration has seen a drastic decrease. Throughout 2020, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.vietnamplus.vn\/vietnam-targets-to-send-90000-labourers-abroad-in-2021\/194963.vnp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">78,600 Vietnamese workers <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">migrated overseas, including 38,891 who traveled to Japan, 34,537 to Taiwan, and 1,309 to Korea. In comparison, in 2019, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vietnamnews.vn\/society\/571238\/viet-nam-sends-more-than-650000-workers-overseas.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">152,530 workers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> migrated abroad, of whom 83,000 went to Japan, 54,480 to Taiwan, and 7,215 to Korea. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Summary of Responses to COVID-19<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following provides a brief summary of the Vietnamese government\u2019s efforts to assist migrant workers during the outbreak:<\/span><\/p><ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Repatriation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Vietnamese government arranged operations to repatriate their nationals in some destination countries. Between April 2020 and January 2021, the Vietnamese government <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/news.chinhphu.vn\/Home\/Nearly-2000-Vietnamese-nationals-return-home-last-week\/20211\/42581.vgp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arranged 242 flights<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to repatriate 66,882 Vietnamese nationals, including migrant workers.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Quarantine: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Returnees are subject to a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.vietnamplus.vn\/compulsory-quarantine-period-extended-to-21-days\/201055.vnp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21-day quarantine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> upon arrival in Vietnam (previously 14 days until 5 May 2021). Whereas quarantine had been provided free of charge in the first few months of the pandemic, beginning from 1 September 2020, those accessing government quarantine facilities have been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vietnamnet.vn\/en\/society\/those-entering-vietnam-charged-for-concentrated-quarantine-from-sept-1-674699.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">charged 120,000 Vietnam Dong<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or 5.25 USD per day. During the quarantine period, returnees are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vietnamnet.vn\/en\/society\/those-entering-vietnam-charged-for-concentrated-quarantine-from-sept-1-674699.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">required to take<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> two PRC tests for COVID-19: once upon their arrival at the quarantine facility and once before they leave. The two tests combined cost 1,468,000 Vietnam Dong, or 64 USD, in total. Quarantine-related costs are possible factors that some Vietnamese overseas nationals <a href=\"https:\/\/nhandan.com.vn\/tin-tuc-y-te\/ngan-nhap-canh-trai-phep-de-chan-dich-covid-19-632789\/\">access informal channels<\/a> to return to the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Information Dissemination: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Vietnamese Embassy in Japan and the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan have little information on their website for overseas workers. They do not maintain a social media presence. However, the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan currently has a hotline that migrant workers can contact via phone or other communication applications such as Viber, Zalo, and Line.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Social Protection: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some migrant returnees are entitled to receive support from Overseas Support Fund.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"timeline-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"timeline-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t        <p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>21 March 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Vietnamese government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/health-coronavirus-vietnam-idUSL4N2BE07V\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suspended<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> all incoming international flights. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>1 April 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Vietnamese government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/e.vnexpress.net\/news\/news\/vietnam-closes-borders-with-laos-cambodia-in-covid-19-fight-4077556.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> its land borders with neighbouring Lao PDR and Cambodia to contain the spread of COVID-19.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>5 April 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vietnamese recruitment agencies <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vietnamnews.vn\/society\/674914\/labour-export-companies-hit-hard-by-covid-19-pandemic.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">were suspended<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from sending migrant workers abroad. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>6 July 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Vietnamese government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tuoitre.vn\/ba-hang-bay-tang-chuyen-dua-cong-dan-viet-ve-nuoc-20200706081539682.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plans to repatriate 14,000 nationals from overseas destinations.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>15 September 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Vietnamese government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phnompenhpost.com\/national\/vietnam-reopens-flight-paths-cities-asia\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">allowed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> six flight routes to re-open, including routes to the popular migrant destinations Japan and Taiwan. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>13 January 2021<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japan, the most popular destination for Vietnamese workers in 2020, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/in.news.yahoo.com\/japan-bans-entry-non-resident-105230404.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">imposed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a ban on the entry of all non-resident foreign nationals, including migrant workers, to contain the spread of the outbreak.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>24 February 2021<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stranded Vietnamese workers in Korea whose Employment Permit System contracts expired were <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/e.vnexpress.net\/news\/news\/south-korea-allows-vietnamese-workers-to-overstay-visa-until-2022-4238856.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">granted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> an extended residence permit. The permit allowed them to become seasonal employees until March 2022.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>19 May 2021<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taiwan, the second most popular destination for Vietnamese workers in 2020, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/asia.nikkei.com\/Spotlight\/Japan-immigration\/Vietnamese-migrant-workers-fall-sharply-amid-COVID-19-pandemic2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suspended<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the entry of all non-resident foreign nationals, including migrant workers, to contain the spread of the outbreak.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>31 May 2021<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Vietnamese Embassy in Lao PDR <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.vietnamplus.vn\/embassy-in-laos-announces-policy-of-entry-to-vietnam-amid-covid19\/202357.vnp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that foreigners from India, Thailand, Cambodia, and Lao PDR were barred from entering Vietnam. Vietnamese nationals were required to register with the Embassy before returning home.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t                    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"lao-pdr-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"lao-pdr-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t                                    \t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"19498\" class=\"elementor elementor-19498\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5ce05729 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5ce05729\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-45958c0b\" data-id=\"45958c0b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fedffcf elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-tabs\" data-id=\"2fedffcf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div data-scroll-on-click=\"no\" data-scroll-speed=\"300\" id=\"eael-advance-tabs-2fedffcf\" class=\"eael-advance-tabs eael-tabs-horizontal eael-tab-auto-active  active-caret-on\" data-tabid=\"2fedffcf\">\n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-nav\">\n                <ul class=\"\" role=\"tablist\">\n                                            <li id=\"overview\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"overview-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Overview<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"timeline\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"timeline-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Timeline<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-content\">\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"overview-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"overview-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t        <p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Context of Migration and Statistics<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lao government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/wcmsp5\/groups\/public\/---asia\/---ro-bangkok\/---sro-bangkok\/documents\/publication\/wcms_%20630313.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">estimates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2016 that approximately 600,000 Lao nationals work abroad. Thailand presents itself as a popular destination of employment for Lao people, hosting an estimated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/wcmsp5\/groups\/public\/---asia\/---ro-bangkok\/---sro-bangkok\/documents\/publication\/wcms_%20630313.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">50% of all outbound migrants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Lao PDR, according to the International Labour Organization. As of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.go.th\/prd\/assets\/upload\/files\/alien_th\/b4d395ff0f55dac76797e41520e0d1b5.pdf\">May 2021<\/a>, 1<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">40,424 Lao migrant workers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> arrived in Thailand through processes established by a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the governments of Lao PDR and Thailand in 2016. Meanwhile, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an additional 37,011<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0were completing the Nationality Verification process to acquire documentation status. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13,046<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Lao nationals were allowed to continue employment until the end of May 2022 as part of the Thai government\u2019s 4 August 2020 Resolution.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Summary of Responses to COVID-19<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following provides information on the Lao government\u2019s response to the COVID-19 pandemic:<\/span><\/p><ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><li><b>Repatriation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There have been reported instances in which the Lao government arranged operations to repatriate stranded overseas nationals. In November 2020, the Lao government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.benarnews.org\/english\/news\/malaysian\/fishermen-leave-01212021162753.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arranged<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> charter flights to repatriate workers in fishery who were stranded in Malaysia. Migrant workers reportedly paid USD $560 for the flight ticket. However,\u00a0 the repatriation flights were delayed until mid-January, when 171 were repatriated to Lao PDR while the rest 151 awaited the second repatriation flight. In addition, Lao nationals stranded in Thailand are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestar.com.my\/aseanplus\/aseanplus-news\/2021\/05\/24\/laos-authorities-step-up-virus-checks-on-returning-migrant-workers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reportedly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> required to submit documentation to the Lao Embassy and obtain a health certificate before they are allowed to return.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><b>Quarantine: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Returnees are subject to a 14-day quarantine at one of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/laos\/migrants-07152020212152.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lao PDR\u2019s 70 quarantine facilities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The conditions, food provision, and availability of health equipment <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/laos\/migrants-07152020212152.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">vary<\/span><\/a> across these facilities<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><b>Information Dissemination: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lao Embassy in Thailand does not have an operational website (as of June 2021). It is unclear how Lao migrants in Thailand receive essential information on Covid-19 related regulations in Thailand, border closure, quarantine upon return, etc.<\/span><\/li><li><b>Government support for migrants and returnees: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lao PDR government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/wcmsp5\/groups\/public\/---asia\/---ro-bangkok\/documents\/genericdocument\/wcms_735106.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reopened<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> all of its Migrant Worker Resource Centres (MRCs) starting from July 2020 to assist migrant workers via its hotline and walk-in appointments. The department of labour of the southern province Savannakhet also reportedly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/laos\/migrants-thailand-08212020083132.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">assisted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> returnees claim unemployment benefits owed to them under the Thai social security system.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"timeline-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"timeline-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t        <p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>13 March 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lao government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/laos\/checkpoints-03162020164126.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> some checkpoints along Lao PDR\u2019s borders with Cambodia and Vietnam. <\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>17-23 March 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Thai government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/general\/1880575\/thai-lao-border-closed-in-phayao\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">began to close<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> checkpoints along Thailand\u2019s border with Lao PDR. Shortly after the border closure, a border checkpoint <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/general\/1884615\/migrant-workers-flee-home\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">temporarily reopened<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as large numbers of Lao migrants arrived in an attempt to cross.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>12 May 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/laos\/migrants-05122020155323.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">registered<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> unemployed Lao nationals, including migrant returnees, in a bid to assist them in getting re-employed at home.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>22 July 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Thai Department of Employment <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LabourHittaimm\/photos\/a.100276460404828\/983136358785496\/?type=3&amp;theater\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that migrant workers from Lao PDR, along with those from Cambodia and Myanmar, are allowed to travel to Thailand using procedures outlined in Memoranda of Understanding signed between the Thai government and governments of the three countries of origin, or if they hold a re-entry visa. Migrant workers are subject to a 14-day quarantine period upon arrival in Thailand.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>8 December 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lao government announced <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/laos\/fishermen-12082020213103.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to repatriate stranded Lao fishery workers in Malaysia.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>26 April 2021<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The governments of Lao PDR and Thailand <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/laos\/jump-04262021182731.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reached<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> an agreement that would allow undocumented Lao workers to return home without being punished or fined. Upon return, quarantine would be provided free of charge. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t                    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"thailand-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"thailand-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t                                    \t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"19504\" class=\"elementor elementor-19504\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-167b93fd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"167b93fd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-18a75a25\" data-id=\"18a75a25\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-305d2955 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-tabs\" data-id=\"305d2955\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div data-scroll-on-click=\"no\" data-scroll-speed=\"300\" id=\"eael-advance-tabs-305d2955\" class=\"eael-advance-tabs eael-tabs-horizontal eael-tab-auto-active  active-caret-on\" data-tabid=\"305d2955\">\n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-nav\">\n                <ul class=\"\" role=\"tablist\">\n                                            <li id=\"overview\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"overview-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Overview<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"timeline\" class=\"inactive eael-tab-item-trigger\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"timeline-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title  title-after-icon\">Timeline<\/span>                                                    <\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-content\">\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"overview-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"overview-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t        <p><em>While Thailand is a longstanding country of origin, this page focuses on Thailand as a destination country for millions of migrant workers who come mainly from Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and to a lesser extent, Vietnam. The information under the \u201cThailand\u201d tab highlights Thai policies regarding migrant workers in the country.<\/em><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Context of Migration and Statistics<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thailand is the most popular destination country for migrant workers from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Lao PDR. As of 25 May 2021, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.go.th\/prd\/assets\/upload\/files\/alien_th\/b4d395ff0f55dac76797e41520e0d1b5.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2,090,281 registered migrants <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">worked in Thailand, of whom <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">705,098 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arrived in the country using procedures outlined in Memoranda of Understanding separately signed between the Thai government and governments of Myanmar (2016), Cambodia (2015), and Lao PDR (2016). A total of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">935,895<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> undocumented migrants were completing nationality verification to gain registered status. Furthermore, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">242,682<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> individuals were allowed to continue employment until the end of May 2022 as part of the Thai government\u2019s 4 August 2020 Resolution. There is also a large number of undocumented migrants in the country who eke out a living in the informal economy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this section focuses on Thailand as a destination country for Mekong migrants, many Thai workers migrate abroad in search of employment opportunities. Throughout 2020, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.go.th\/prd\/assets\/upload\/files\/overseas_th\/aab07fcfdafbd85b8b9b66a1263d3f01.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">28,997 Thais<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are known to work abroad in several countries. Japan, Taiwan, and Finland are the most popular destinations in 2020<\/span>.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Summary of Responses to COVID-19<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the early stages of the pandemic, an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.benarnews.org\/english\/news\/thai\/migrant-concerns-05082020175745.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">estimated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 500,000 migrant workers lost their jobs in Thailand as a result of the Covid-induced economic downturn. While many hundreds of thousands of migrants are estimated to have left Thailand before and after the borders closed in March 2020, many who remained in the country <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/idUSL8N2BP48E\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">experienced difficulties<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> accessing forms of government assistance and, for those who became unemployed, receiving the severance pay due to them from employers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following provides a summary of the Thai government\u2019s measures in relation to migrant workers in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic:<\/span><\/p><ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><li><b>Border closure: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thailand closed its borders in March 2020 to contain the spread of COVID-19. However, the government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thethaiger.com\/news\/national\/riot-fears-reopen-closed-thai-border-checkpoints-as-migrant-workers-flee\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">temporarily reopened<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> some land border checkpoints in response to the sheer weight of migrants attempting to cross. On 5 April 2020, in a bid to prevent unauthorised border crossing, Thailand\u2019s Department of Land Transport <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dlt.go.th\/th\/public-news\/view.php?_did=2616\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">instructed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> bus drivers not to let migrant workers board buses travelling to border provinces. When official repatriation operations were later arranged by actors from countries of origin, many migrants who decided to return to their countries of origin had to <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.careevaluations.org\/evaluation\/raks-thai-rapid-gender-analysis-gendered-impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-on-migrants-in-thailand\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pay for the expensive repatriation services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> laid on by their own government, recruitment agencies, or brokers. There has also been a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiermyanmar.net\/en\/the-government-and-armed-groups-enforce-a-new-border-regime\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">crackdown on migrants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> attempting to cross borders by unofficial means.<\/span><\/span><\/li><li><b>Changes in the migration policies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: In response to the large number of migrants who were laid off and lost documentation status, the Thai Cabinet <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/news\/asia\/covid-19-thailand-migrant-workers-left-out-unemployment-12637164\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">approved measures<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ease immigration restrictions on 24 March 2020, allowing registered migrant workers and their child dependents to extend their leave to remain and permission to work in the country until 30 June 2020. Leave was <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/reliefweb.int\/report\/myanmar\/myanmar-covid-19-situation-report-no-06-29-june-2020\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">further extended<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> until 31 July 2020, and then <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.khmertimeskh.com\/714387\/cambodian-migrant-workers-in-thailand-limbo-can-stay-until-november\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">again<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> until November 2020. On 4 August 2020, the Thai Cabinet <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/general\/1962707\/govt-to-grant-migrants-longer-stay\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">approved<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the Labour Ministry\u2019s plan to allow more than half a million migrants who possess the requisite documentation to continue employment until the end of May 2022. Following a further extension of the amnesty until 14 February 2023, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.go.th\/prd\/assets\/upload\/files\/alien_th\/a0bf3232bdb42f5fe6dbe66cfa75b02c.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">241,537 migrant workers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> had registered with the Thai authorities as of December 2020.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li><li><b>Social Protection during the Pandemic: <\/b>To support workers during the pandemic, the Thai Cabinet twice <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/general\/1963367\/sso-payments-cut-again-to-ease-pain\">approved<\/a> reductions in employee contributions towards the Social Security System (SSS). For those ineligible for the SSS who work in the informal economy, the government <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/general\/1885640\/cash-handouts-for-informal-workers\">implemented<\/a> a one-off cash payment known as the \u201cnobody will be left behind\u201d scheme. All COVID-19 patients in the country are also eligible to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/general\/1897830\/free-treatment-for-all-virus-patients\">free treatment<\/a>. However, migrant workers who contribute to the SSS were only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.voanews.com\/covid-19-pandemic\/thailands-migrant-workers-struggle-qualify-aid-during-pandemic-0\">made eligible<\/a> to receive unemployment benefits after the Thai government received <a href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/news\/asia\/covid-19-thailand-migrant-workers-left-out-unemployment-12637164\">much criticism<\/a>. Migrant workers not enrolled in the SSS or who had made insufficient contributions were also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/general\/1962707\/govt-to-grant-migrants-longer-stay\">expressly excluded <\/a>from accessing the \u201cNobody will be left behind\u201d scheme.<p>Furthermore, the difficulties faced by migrants attempting to access benefits during the Covid-19 crisis has highlighted and exacerbated pre-existing issues with Thailand\u2019s social protection mechanisms. These issues include: the limited coverage of the SSS among migrant workers of different migration statuses; complicated procedures associated with the application of social security benefits; and language barriers when accessing healthcare.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"timeline-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item inactive\" data-title-link=\"timeline-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t        <p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>20-23 March 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Thai government began to close its land borders with neighbouring Cambodia, Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Malaysia. Shortly after the border closure, some border checkpoints were <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thethaiger.com\/news\/national\/riot-fears-reopen-closed-thai-border-checkpoints-as-migrant-workers-flee\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">temporarily reopened<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in response to the sheer weight of migrants attempting to cross.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>24 March 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Thai Cabinet <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thaienquirer.com\/10051\/migrant-workers-from-cambodia-laos-and-myanmar-to-stay-until-june\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">approved<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> measures to ease immigration restrictions, allowing registered migrant workers and their child dependents to extend their leave to remain and permission to work in the country until 30 June 2020. Leave was later <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/reliefweb.int\/report\/myanmar\/myanmar-covid-19-situation-report-no-06-29-june-2020\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">further extended<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> until 31 July 2020, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.khmertimeskh.com\/714387\/cambodian-migrant-workers-in-thailand-limbo-can-stay-until-november\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">then again<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> until November 2020.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>26 March 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Thai government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/general\/1885475\/emergency-decree-coming-thursday\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">issued<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a National Emergency Decree that authorizes the government to implement policies such as imposing curfews, banning public gatherings, and restricting travelling. The Emergency Decree is still in force at the time of writing (June 2021). <\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>5 April 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Thai Department of Land Transport <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.khaosod.co.th\/covid-19\/news_3890541\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">requested<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> bus companies not to transport migrant workers to border provinces by invoking the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 (2015).<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>22 July 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Thai Department of Employment <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LabourHittaimm\/photos\/a.100276460404828\/983136358785496\/?type=3&amp;theater\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that migrant workers from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Lao PDR are allowed to travel to Thailand using procedures outlined in Memoranda of Understanding signed between the Thai government and governments of the three countries of origin, or if they hold a re-entry visa. Migrant workers are subject to a 14-day quarantine period upon arrival in Thailand. <\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>4 August 2020<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Thai Cabinet <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/general\/1962707\/govt-to-grant-migrants-longer-stay\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">approved <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Labour Ministry\u2019s plan to allow more than half a million migrants who possess the requisite documentation to continue employment until the end of May 2022. The amnesty was later <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailand-business-news.com\/national\/82170-thai-cabinet-allows-illegal-migrant-workers-to-sign-up-for-2-year-work-permit.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">further extended<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the end of February 2023. <\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>December 2020 to January 2021<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thailand experienced a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases that would culminate in the second wave of the pandemic in the country. Migrant fishery workers in Samut Sakhon were among those who <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2020-12-21\/thailand-reports-biggest-covid-19-surge-with-500-cases-lockdown\/13001370\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tested positive<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the virus, and were <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/thailand-covid-outbreak-among-myanmar-workers-sparks-anti-migrant-backlash\/a-56075165\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">barred<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from leaving the province. Thai authorities <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/thailand-covid-outbreak-among-myanmar-workers-sparks-anti-migrant-backlash\/a-56075165\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">used discriminatory rhetoric<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in scapegoating migrant workers for the outbreak.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>March to June 2021<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thailand experienced a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases that would culminate in the third and hitherto most serious wave of the pandemic in the country. Between April and May, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-health-coronavirus-thailand-migrants-idUSKCN2D9217\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">approximately 10,000 migrant workers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Cambodia, Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Vietnam were infected with the virus. Authorities responded to the outbreak by confining migrants to their workplaces or dormitories where active cases were detected. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t                    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t                            <\/div>\n\t\t                    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mekong countries&#8217; response to the COVID-19 pandemic The information on this page was last updated in June 2021. Visit MMN&#8217;s Migration News Archive for the latest information. This page was created as part of MMN\u2019s ongoing efforts to monitor the role of Mekong countries in protecting migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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