"The talks were being conducted in preparation for the workers’ return to the kingdom, which usually has over 2 million documented and undocumented Myanmar workers, said U Peter Nyunt Maung, vice chair of the federation. “If workers test positive for COVID-19 abroad and decide to be treated there, who would pay?” he said. “Free medical treatment is available only in Myanmar, so we are negotiating for insurance coverage there.” Myanma Insurance already offers COVID-19 insurance on the local market. Compensation for such coverage in Thailand would be paid in local currency. The federation negotiated to pay based on the current exchange rate of the Myanmar and Thai currencies. “A lot of workers want to go abroad, but the government would not allow them yet,” he said. “Other countries are prepared to accept workers, so official permission may not take too long.”