Myanmar’s skilled and educated are pouring out of the country in search of better-paying jobs, leading to fears of “brain drain and brain waste”, according to the International Labour Organisation.
The results of the ILO’s latest survey, which was based on interviews over two months with 625 people of different races, hometowns and ages, revealed that 22pc of potential migrants have attained a university degree. They expect their qualifications to reap higher dividends abroad, even in low-skill industries.
“It is concern for the country,” the report said.
According to the survey released on April 28, Myanmar’s average migrant falls between the ages of 18 and 24. Only 8pc are over 35 years old.
“Fifty-three percent of potential migrants already had a job,” but found their employment situation to be unfavourable compared to overseas options. The survey took into account three migration-heavy areas: Mandalay, Tanintharyi Region and Shan State. Those from Tanintharyi Region and Shan State were more likely to be jobless prior to migrating, Ben Harkins of the ILO said.
The migrants and would-be migrants looked abroad not only for a higher income, but also for new job opportunities and stable sources of income.
Over half of the potential migrants surveyed intend to go to Thailand or Malaysia, where they expect to earn between $105 and $415 a month. Many of those with a high school degree anticipated salaries upwards of $520.
An overwhelming number of survey respondents (73pc) learn about labour migration options from friends or family members, eschewing labour officials’ assistance.
“Only 1pc of migrants believe that they could obtain correct information from the regional labour office,” the report said.
When faced with problems in the labour migration process, almost half said they would inform family and friends about any grievances. Only 19pc would inform the police, and just 10pc would bother with labour officials.
In search of more information about Myanmar’s migration trends, the ILO opened more than t10 Migrant Resource Centres in Myanmar, according to Jackie Pollock, a technical officer at the ILO in Yangon.
“We need to conduct more research to understand why Myanmar’s young-graduates go overseas for low-level jobs, and if we can put them to work in any jobs better suited to them. If they need more skills, which skills do they need?” she said.
According to the official government figures, more than 3 million Myanmar migrants currently work in Thailand and Malaysia.
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