CNI News

2 September 2023

When the process of sending Myanmar MoU workers to Thailand through Myawady-Kawkareik New Asia Road could be resumed, a worker had to pay the double bus fare than before, said overseas employment agencies to CNI News. 

Sending MoU workers could be resumed only on 22nd August because some parts of the road as it was raining heavily, said an official from the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF) to CNI News.

" The bus fare was 22,000 kyats a person from Yangon to Myawady before. But now the fare has been 45,000 kyats. Before the bridge was built, the buses from Yangon came to the place where the part of road was destroyed and the buses from Myawady came there. The workers had to get off the car and walk at the place. 

MoU workers

Now that the bridge has been built already, they don't have to get off. But there is still a traffic jam. Only if it is two-way, it will be more convenient. We have to wait. Half of the ruined place has been repaired, but when the road is re-open, the cars are waiting in line bumper to bumper." he said.

Moreover, on the way, armed groups asked 5,000 kyats to 35,000 kyats for a passenger, said overseas employment agencies. Sending MoU workers to Thailand could be delayed for a few days due to the road conditions, said the agencies. 

MoU workers

Although agencies must send MoU workers to get to workplaces in relevant within 90 days, as there were delays due to natural disasters, agencies had to inform relevant department of the reasons reportedly.

" In a situation like this, we had to submit a petition to the relevant department so that they will understand. Because it's natural disaster, they will permit. The department is building to be a two-way on the ruined part. It will be finished in a week. Trucks, MoU Buses, family cars and small cars are going on that road and of them, trucks are in a more traffic jam. MoU buses and small cars are going more smoothly because they have to pay for the deserved cost." said U Win Myint, managing director of the Lucky Overseas Employment Agency.

The part of the road that was collapsed near Taw Naw Waterfall was 200 feet long and 35 feet deep and a temporary Bailey bridge was built there and vehicles have been allowed to pass on it. But just a few MoU workers are being regularly sent without sending a lot like before, according to the MOEAF.