Irrawaddy-March 12
China has tightened access for Myanmar citizens entering the country on temporary border passes (TBPs) from Muse in northern Shan State, residents of the border town say. Migrants seeking work at factories and plantations in and around Ruili, in Yunan province, have had to get health checks and drug tests at the Chinese government’s labor office in Jiegao since March 5. mMuse residents explained that migrant workers entering China now have to prove they are physically fit and drug-free. They also need letters from Chinese employers saying they have a job. After passing the tests and submitting a letter from their employer, migrants then receive a QR code to enter Ruili. Without the QR code, they are not allowed to advance through the checkpoint between Jiegao and Ruili, a resident of Muse said. Ruili is the Chinese town opposite Muse. “China has introduced tight checks and also increased arrests. Previously, [Myanmar citizens] did not need to have medical exams or letters from employers upon entry,” a resident of Muse told The Irrawaddy, adding: “They still need to apply for [other] entry documents even after they arrive in China, which will cost them hundreds of thousands of kyats.” A TBP allows Myanmar citizens to stay in China for up to seven days. Previously, they only had to register with police stations in Jiegao or Shweli to get the QR code to stay overnight. Another resident of Muse said: “Even if you don’t stay overnight, you can’t go beyond Jiegao unless you have a letter of guarantee from a Chinese employer.” Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/china-tightens-access-for-myanmar-migrant-workers-entering-from-shan-state.html
