Myanmar tightens overseas travel rules for new seafarers

YANGON – Myanmar will stop allowing newly recruited male and female seafarers to travel abroad using Myanmar Seafarer Passports (PS) from September 15, the Ministry of Maritime Administration said.

Seafarers who need to travel overseas for visits will instead have to exchange their PS passports for visiting (PV) passports through the Home Office’s Passport Office before departure.

The department said the measure is aimed at preventing the illegal recruitment and exploitation of seafarers by unlicensed recruiting companies, intermediaries and brokers.

He cited cases of seafarers being sent to work in Gulf countries rather than on ships, hired on unauthorized fishing vessels, denied proper wages due to weak or non-existent labor contracts, or placed on smuggling vessels, leading to arrests overseas.

Authorities also reported cases of fraudulent naval service records and ranks, and of sailors being sent to work without receiving the necessary training.

The department said the new rule is intended to protect seafarers’ labor rights, insurance coverage, wages and access to proper maritime service and training records.