Brian Jeffrey
Authorities have recognized 681 Vietnamese individuals from 56 different regions as victims of human trafficking and are currently in the process of repatriation from Myanmar. The Consular Department, in collaboration with various ministries and local officials, is swiftly developing a plan to bring them back home.
Recently, Myanmar law enforcement, alongside Thai authorities and other nations, conducted extensive operations against illegal online gambling activities near the border. These initiatives revealed tens of thousands of foreigners living unlawfully, many of whom were trapped in online scams, forced labor, and human trafficking scenarios.
Myawaddy, a key commercial area in southeastern Myanmar’s Karen State, lies next to Thailand’s Mae Sot, separated by the Moei River, and is known for gambling and other illegal enterprises.
Luong Thanh Quang, the Deputy Director of the Consular Department, noted that Myanmar has notified Vietnam about the expulsion of these individuals, prompting an immediate response for their repatriation.
However, the unstable security landscape in Myanmar makes it challenging to move from Yangon, where the Vietnamese Embassy is located, to Myawaddy, complicating the return efforts.
“With the number of affected individuals increasing daily from 200 to over 600, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Public Security to swiftly verify identities. Currently, 681 people from 56 localities have been confirmed, including those from urban regions where ads about ‘easy jobs with high pay’ circulate frequently,” Quang explained.
Myanmar authorities categorize these individuals as infringing local laws and have asked Vietnam to accept them back.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has consulted with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, and provincial officials, all of whom agree that there is currently no legal framework to classify these individuals as trafficking victims. Those deceived into working in Myanmar can report to local police upon return. If found to be trafficking victims during the investigation, they may qualify for financial assistance according to existing regulations.
Quang noted that the only feasible way for repatriation involves traveling overland through Thailand. This will necessitate trilateral coordination between Myanmar (the expelling nation), Thailand (the transit nation), and Vietnam (the receiving country), with established timelines and detailed operational plans.
He stressed that timeliness and security are paramount. Daily transit from Thailand is restricted to a limited number of individuals, under strict police oversight.
The final strategy includes moving citizens by land from Myawaddy to Mae Sot, then taking a bus nearly 500 km to Bangkok, followed by commercial flights back to Vietnam. The whole journey takes approximately 20 hours and will be closely supervised by security personnel to avoid illegal residencies or disturbances in Thailand.
The estimated expense per individual is about 12.2 million VND (around 480 USD), which will cover land transport, meals, commercial flights, and necessary document processing.
The Citizen Protection Fund has informed local agencies to request upfront payments from the families. Once funds are secured, the Fund will work with Vietnamese embassies to finalize transport, tickets, and essential travel documentation.
Post-repatriation, embassies will submit receipts and documentation to the Fund to reconcile actual costs. Any surplus funds will be returned, or families will be notified of any shortfall, ensuring transparency in the process.
“We advise Vietnamese citizens in Myanmar to be cautious of disinformation and scams that may arise regarding this repatriation initiative,” Quang cautioned.
He confirmed that the entire process is transparent and supervised by local authorities in the citizens’ hometowns.
On April 8, April 28, and May 14, three groups comprising 471 citizens were repatriated back to Vietnam safely and efficiently. These initial efforts mark significant progress as Vietnam aims to bring back all citizens stranded in Myawaddy this May.
Individuals seeking further information regarding procedures or costs are encouraged to contact the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or their local foreign affairs office.
