The government has upgraded migrant worker employment as the Cabinet approved a new Thailand–Myanmar MOU that protects labor rights and prevents human trafficking and illegal employment.
On 5 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Captain Phattharadasm Thongsaluyak, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding on labor cooperation and an agreement on labor hiring between the governments of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Labor to sign both documents to update the labor cooperation framework between the two countries in line with current conditions and to better manage migrant labor in accordance with the law.
The Deputy Spokesperson explained that Thailand and Myanmar have cooperated on labor since 2016, using MOUs and agreements as mechanisms to legally recruit Myanmar workers to Thailand. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and changes within Myanmar, both sides agreed to update these documents to reflect current circumstances and ensure continuous and more effective labor management between the countries.
The labor cooperation MOU assigns the Ministries of Labor of both countries as the main coordinating bodies. It expands cooperation to include labor market information exchange, skill development, knowledge and expert exchange, and prevention of illegal employment and human trafficking. It also establishes joint action plans and regular progress meetings to align efforts and effectively address issues.
The labor hiring agreement sets clear employment criteria covering worker deployment, contract arrangements, pre-departure preparation, work permit issuance, legal labor rights protection in the host country, dispute resolution, and repatriation upon contract completion. It also outlines cooperation to prevent illegal entry, human trafficking, and unlawful employment to ensure fair protection for workers and lawful hiring channels for employers.
Captain Phattharadasm stated that updating the MOU and agreement will make the recruitment and hiring of migrant workers between Thailand and Myanmar more systematic. Workers will receive legal protections and rightful benefits, while employers can access workers through legal channels. This reduces illegal immigration, unlawful employment, and human trafficking, thereby raising Thailand's migrant labor management standards, supporting economic sectors with ongoing labor demands, and benefiting workers, employers, and both countries in the long term.