The Chinese police have announced that the Myanmar migrant workers in China will be sent back to Myanmar to make smart cards in May, according to a woman working at a restaurant in Shweli.
The workers who currently have a one-week travel card (single-use) to China, as well as those who have a red book with a one-year residence permit in China, have to make smart cards.
“It is said those workers would be sent back in May. Now they (Chinese police) are checking and arresting every day. The Chinese police announced they will no longer allow entry to Myanmar people who don’t have smart cards. So, we will go back next month,” said a woman working at a restaurant in Shweli.
Additionally, Myanmar citizens who enter China with a one-week-travel card will be sentenced to prison and a fine if they overstay, and the workers who are legally entering the country will be brought back to Myanmar to make smart cards.
After the Military Junta enforced the conscription law on February 10, some went abroad legally, as well as some went abroad illegally, and more than 10,000 people are reportedly working with a one-week travel card in China.
As China has announced to make a smart card, going back to Myanmar like this, Myanmar citizens arriving in China are facing difficulties, and it can take a long time to make a smart card, according to a woman from Namkam town.
“It’s not easy to make a smart card. It takes one or two months to do it. Now, they (junta immigration) will do it for the residents of Muse District first. It will be done by a ward and village. I’m a resident of Namkham, so they haven’t done it,” she said.
Since last March, the Chinese police have been raising the arrest of those who entered China illegally and those who have overstayed with their one-week travel card, and about 20 people per day are reportedly sent back to Myanmar.
