CNI News

16 March 2024

Because battles broke out severely in northern Shan State, those who worked in Laukkai moved to Pangsang Town that has been controlled by the United Wa State Army and are working there, philanthropic associations and businessmen in northern Shan State told CNI News.

There are many businesses including the restaurant business and hotel industry as well as there are plenty of jobs in Pangsang, headquarters of the UWSA. So, he moved to Pangsang and was doing business like that, U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Northern Shan State Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

" Most groups from Laukkai and Kunlong have moved to Pangsang. Business people haven't started their businesses. Mainly, staff and laborers go to Pangsang in order to get jobs because there are plenty of jobs there. Some are working in restaurants and others in hotels. Many workers who worked in Laukkai have moved to Pangsang." he said.

While seeing the UWSA force

Among those who moved to Pangsang, the majority was Burmans and other nationalities were included and women outnumbered men. A Myanmar citizen can work there if he or she has a national registration card reportedly.

Although transportation in northern Shan State has not yet recovered, when people go to Pangsang from Lashio, they have to go there through Tangyan reportedly. Working after moving like this was because businesses have not yet recovered as a result of battles that took place in northern Shan State, an official from the Phyu Sin Myittar Philanthropic Youth Association, told CNI News.

" The wages in Pangsang are not too different from those in Laukkai. Jobs are convenient in the Wa region. So many Burmans are working there and so are other nationalities. They must show their NRC cards and then they are OK. But it would be better if they have recommendation letters. Nearly two third of businesses are operating in Lashio and Thibaw. In many places including Laukkai, Kunlong and Theinni where battles broke out, businesses don't operate. Small cars go there and the fare is nearly 350,000 kyats for each person, I heard." he said.

While seeing somewhere downtown Pangsang

Previously in Laukkai, a construction worker earned 100 yuans to 300 yuans (over 40,000 to over 100,000 Myanmar kyats) and in casinos, however, a staff earned 3,500 to 4,000 yuans( over 10 lakh Myanmar kyats).

Basic salary is 2,000 yuans in Pangsang (800,000 Myanmar kyats) on average and 3,000 yuans can be earned from a well-paid job reportedly.