CNI News
14 Mar 2023
Some observers have been wondering how Myanmar migrant workers in other countries would respond to the elections to be held this year by the State Administration Council.
Most Myanmar migrant workers said that they are indifferent to the elections scheduled by the SAC as they think whether elections can be held or not does not have an impact on their lives.
Ko Moe Lay, who has been working in Thailand, said he had already cast his vote in the 2020 general election, he would not go to vote in the elections held by the SAC.
He said, "As we have elected our government, we would not vote again even if elections could be held. A people's government will not emerge from elections held by the SAC because people's power will no be transferred to the people. They are doing everything they want. Now, migrant workers are illegally coming to Thailand and apply for passports and pink cards by spending between Bhat 15,000 and 20,000. Then, they have to apply for CIs by spending between Baht 7,000 and 8,000. Again, they have to extend their visa by spending between Baht 3,000 and Baht 4,000. Not just that, they have to renew their work permits. So, it costs each of them between MMK 3 and 4 million within five months. Frankly speaking, the SAC is incompetent and has done nothing to offer assistance for them effectively. Myanmar nationals are getting into trouble not only at home but also in other countries."
Election results of the 2020 general election are being announced.
As a result, Myanmar migrant workers are of the opinion that their lives will not be different even after the new civilian government, he said.
Moreover, the upcoming elections are likely to intensify the conflicts and the political, economic and social crises will deepen, generating more negative impacts, Director General U Nyi Nyi Lwin of the Centre for Arakan Refugees told the CNI.
He said," If the election cannot be held, our lives will be as they are now. If they could be held, we would get into more trouble. We have nothing to choose. As elections would be held against the will of the people, the country would be more instable and migrant workers in other countries would face more intense hardship. Since the coup, about 200,000 people have left the country because of securiy situation of the country. Even if elections could be held, the National Unity Government will be in place and EAOs and the people will continue to fight against the miliary. Elections cannot be held forcefully against the will of the people. It will lead not to peace but to more conflicts."
Myanmar migrant workers preparing to leave the country.
In Korea, one of the countries where a large number of Myanmar workers are working, there are different opinions about the elections with some migrant workers feel that the current situation is unfair while others are indifferent to it, Ko Khant Nay Kyi, In-charge Ko Khant Nay Kyi of the Assistance Centre of Migrant Workers in Busan, told the CNI.
As South Korea is a country that promotes democracy and human rights, it is expected that the government will allow Myanmar nationals to continue to stay there after the elections, he added.
He said, "Unlike South Korea, neighbouring Thailand and Malaysia will not be easily decide whether they would allow oppositions to stay in their countries because their democratic norms are very low and they would advance their own national interests. So, they would support the winning side whether it is NUG or the military."
The SAC chairman has promised to hold a general election in 2023 and to transfer state power to the winning party.
Until 8th March, a total of 19 political parties have re-registered with the Union Election Commission, according to the junta media.
