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CNI News
13 Feb 2023
Yangon Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association has been preparing to resume gold jewelry to Japan and gold merchants from Japan have proposed to buy gold jewelry from Myanmar, according to the YRGEA.
Although the association exported gold jewelry to Japan, the jewelry exports have been disrupted by the outbreak of COVID-19. Now, Japanese merchants have proposed to buy gold jewelry from Myanmar and the association is also ready to export the jewlery to Japan. Currently, negotiations are being held between the two sides, Chairman of the YRGEA U Myo Myint told the CNI.
He said, "We had exported gold jewelry to Japan but the exports was disrupted by the pandemic. Now, the other side has proposed to buy the jewelry from us and goldsmiths are ready to export the jewelry to Japan. Currently, we are holding negotiations. They are seeking information about licenses and measures for prevention of COVID-19 because they don't want to be placed under quarantine when they arrive here. When they come, exports of gold jewelry will resume."
Local entrepreneurs have enough raw gold to export jewelry to Japan and it will be beneficial for local goldsmiths and goldsmith shops, he added.
Gold jewelry
Although Myanmar exports only a few items of gold jewelry to Japan, it would contribute to stability of the local gold market, according to a market observer.
He added, "It is beneficial for us to export gold to foreign markets because gold jewelry will not pile up in the local market and gold prices in the local market are likely to fall. Currently, the demand for US dollars has stagnated but the demand for gold has fluctuated. Some speculators are taking advantage of the situation. Some merchants are speculating prices based on some data in the international market. However, such data are not important. However, prices partly depend on people who trade gold on such information."
Finished gold jewelry is exported to Japan.
Myanmar is likely to resume gold jewelry exports to Japan when gold prices drop in the international market while South Korea is interested in establishing gold jewelry CMP businesses in Myanmar but is still closely watching the situation of COVID and trade restrictions, according to the YRGEA.
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CNI News
13 Feb 2023
Political parties that are registered in a particular state or region will not be allowed to campaign and stand for election in other states or regions, the Union Election Commission told the CNI.
Section 3 (a) of the political parties registration law stipulates that A group of at least 15 persons who desire to organize and form a political party in the entire Union or a region or state stating a desired name for the party shall apply to the commission for granting permission to organize party members in accord with the law.
The UEC told the CNI, "Therefore, political parties that will campaign for elections only in a particular state or region will not be allowed to campaign for or participate in elections in constituencies in other regions or states.
Moreover, political parties registration rule (26) stipulates that if a political party that is established to organizes in the entire union wants to change its registration to a party that will orgnizes in a particular state of region or a political party that is established to organize in particular state or region wants to change its registration to a party that will organize in the entire union, the party can apply for permission to the UEC by submitting the decision of its central executive committee and two copies of form (e), according to the UEC.
If a political party that is established to organize in a particular state or region is required to register again to stand for election in constituencies in other states and regions, political parties will have to face difficulties for funds and recruitments, political parties said.
Under the provision, state/region parties will be forced to register again to run for election in other states or region, according to them
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CNI News
13 Feb 2023
The Panglong Agreement is the key to resolving the Myanmar political crisis, Kachin politician U Kwan Gaung Aung Kham told the CNI.
It is necessary to establish the union in accordance with the Panglong Agreement and Panglong commitments, he added.
He told the CNI, "The crisis we are facing now in not a crisis that has just arisen. It has reached ite climax since the coup of Gen Ne Win in 1962. We will have to go back to the Panglong Agreement and it is necessary to establish the union in accordance with the agreement, which is the key to resolving the current crisis."
Leaders agreed in principle to exercise self-administration and self-determination in Shan State, Kachin State, Kayah State and Chin hills in the union to be established under the agreement. The agreement guaranteed the same rights for the ethnic groups as the Bamar ethnic group, according to him.
A demonstration calling for democracy
The agreement has nothing to do with federalism to be adopted in the future union, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.
He said, "The agreement has nothing to do with federalism because it was an agreement for the rights of ethnic groups in Myanmar. It was just an agreement between the plain regions and hilly regions to restore independence from the British together. However, Gen Aung San told the ethnic groups that they could establish independent states of their own after a decade if they did not like the AFPFL rule. He promised such clauses would be stipulated in the constitution. The 1947 constitution guaranteed such rights. Some people who have not read the agreement are making wrong conclusions. It is very disappointing."
If the agreement puts an end to the current armed conflicts and political changes take place through bloodless political means, it is likely to be key to resolving the current political crisis, Chairman Dr Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Party told the CNI.
NUG Defence Minister U Yee Mon and the PDFs
He said, "The country, which regained independence from the British in 1948 under the 1947 constitution, has been gripped by the political crisis for 75 years and the vicious circle of the civil war has never ended. When we think about overcoming the current political and military crises, it is understandable that some people remember the Panglong Agreement which enbable Myanmar to regain independence after 75 years of crisis. We will have to transform the agreement into a key element to overcome the constitutional crisis and to turn the bloody politics into bloodless politics. It can be said that it is a correct stance and an exit from the crisis."
Establishing the union under the Panglong Agreement will turn 75 years on 12th February but the armed conflicts have not ended.
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CNI News
11 Feb 2023
A majority of Myanmar workers who went to work under the MOU between the two countries in 2022 have been exploited and lost their labour rights, labour activists in Thailand told the CNI.
Most of them are subject to being employed in jobs that are not stated in their contracts, denying the rights to keep their own documents by themselves, sacking without sound reasons, losses of salaries and compensations for workplace injuries.
Taking advantage of the instability in Myanmar, unscrupulous persons are exploiting Myanmar MOU workers, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.
He said, "Exploitation mainly refers to denying workers their salaries. However, abusing the rights of workers amounts to violation of the law. They are exploiting the rights of workers. When an MOU worker comes to Thailand, he or she has to pay Baht 1,000 for social security fees. So, they must be sent to the clinic when he or she is ill. They are entitled to receive treatments in Thailand as soon as they arrive in Thailand. Moreover, they have bought health insurance policies to receive treatments at government hospitals. The Thai government knows all these and that the military junta in Myanmar will not pressure on such issues. As there are many serious problems in Myanmar, labour issues are not taken seriously by government agencies."
Myanmar workers.
In sending MOU workers to Thailand, some agencies are sending more workers than employers have requested and asking for quitting fees from workers who leave jobs because they are not employed in jobs that are not stated in their contracts.
Executive Director U Htoo Chit from the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI, "In principle, employers are required to issue job quitting permits if they cannot employ their workers in jobs stated in their contracts. Some companies issue such permits but others ask for job-quitting fees from workers. Therefore, it is very difficult for workers because they cannot seek jobs for other employers without the permit. As a result, they have become illegal migrant workers."
Overseas employment agencies play an important role in exploitation of MOU workers and workers are required to scrutinize their agencies thoroughly before they are sent to Thailand, according to labour activists in Thailand.
Moreover, responsible officials from the Myanmar embassy in Thailand take effective measures to protect the rights of workers when workers stage protests, they said.
Myanmar workers in front of the Myanmar embassy in Thailand.
Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI, "Responsible officials from the embassy seek compensation when Myanmar workers die and have been incinerated to save face for themselves in front of the bereft families. Myanmar labour attaches rarely offer assistance to Myanmar workers on the ground. That is why, labour activists including me, private organizations and other Myanmar people have to offer assistance to workers who are in trouble. This indicates the labour ministry of our country is corrupted and is seeking self-interests."
Labour activists based in Thailand said workers would not face exploitation if labour officials at the embassy handled labour issues seriously.
The Ministry of Labour of Myanmar resumed sending workers to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries in May, 2022 and has sent about 100,000 workers to the neighbouring country so far.
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CNI News
11 Feb 2023
A majority of Myanmar workers who went to work under the MOU between the two countries in 2022 have been exploited and lost their labour rights, labour activists in Thailand told the CNI.
Most of them are subject to being employed in jobs that are not stated in their contracts, denying the rights to keep their own documents by themselves, sacking without sound reasons, losses of salaries and compensations for workplace injuries.
Taking advantage of the instability in Myanmar, unscrupulous persons are exploiting Myanmar MOU workers, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.
He said, "Exploitation mainly refers to denying workers their salaries. However, abusing the rights of workers amounts to violation of the law. They are exploiting the rights of workers. When an MOU worker comes to Thailand, he or she has to pay Baht 1,000 for social security fees. So, they must be sent to the clinic when he or she is ill. They are entitled to receive treatments in Thailand as soon as they arrive in Thailand. Moreover, they have bought health insurance policies to receive treatments at government hospitals. The Thai government knows all these and that the military junta in Myanmar will not pressure on such issues. As there are many serious problems in Myanmar, labour issues are not taken seriously by government agencies."
Myanmar workers.
In sending MOU workers to Thailand, some agencies are sending more workers than employers have requested and asking for quitting fees from workers who leave jobs because they are not employed in jobs that are not stated in their contracts.
Executive Director U Htoo Chit from the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI, "In principle, employers are required to issue job quitting permits if they cannot employ their workers in jobs stated in their contracts. Some companies issue such permits but others ask for job-quitting fees from workers. Therefore, it is very difficult for workers because they cannot seek jobs for other employers without the permit. As a result, they have become illegal migrant workers."
Overseas employment agencies play an important role in exploitation of MOU workers and workers are required to scrutinize their agencies thoroughly before they are sent to Thailand, according to labour activists in Thailand.
Moreover, responsible officials from the Myanmar embassy in Thailand take effective measures to protect the rights of workers when workers stage protests, they said.
Myanmar workers in front of the Myanmar embassy in Thailand.
Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI, "Responsible officials from the embassy seek compensation when Myanmar workers die and have been incinerated to save face for themselves in front of the bereft families. Myanmar labour attaches rarely offer assistance to Myanmar workers on the ground. That is why, labour activists including me, private organizations and other Myanmar people have to offer assistance to workers who are in trouble. This indicates the labour ministry of our country is corrupted and is seeking self-interests."
Labour activists based in Thailand said workers would not face exploitation if labour officials at the embassy handled labour issues seriously.
The Ministry of Labour of Myanmar resumed sending workers to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries in May, 2022 and has sent about 100,000 workers to the neighbouring country so far.
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CNI News
11 Feb 2023
There are signs that attempts are being made to establish democracy through violent means, SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said.
The chairman made the remarks at the meeting on future tasks of the SAC in the morning of the 9th February.
Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said, "It can be seen that attempts are being made to establish democracy through violent means. There are differences between the conviction of EAOs and that of the terrorist organizations. Most EAOs have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. Armed groups that were founded after 2021 have emerged due to differences over democracy. Under the democratic system, no country nor government will accept armed violence."
It is questionable which institutions have overpowered democracy through violent means and a survey should be conducted to ask the people of Myanmar which institutions and individuals have overpowered democracy through the use of force, political observers said.
Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said, "As violent acts must be tackled during the second state of emergency, martial law has been imposed on sensitive townships to prevent violence. Martial law was imposed not on the people but on the law violators. The public is entitled to lead their lives in complete freedom in accordance with the rules and regulations. It is believed that stability will be restored in such areas during the upcoming six-month period."
He continued to say that the military is a guardian institution that stands firmly on the multi-party democracy and has to perform duties for security and stability and state responsibilities will be transferred to the winning party after the election."
On the other hand, the NUG, the PDF, the LDF and some EAOs have vowed to disrupt the elections.
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CNI News
10 Feb 2023
Issues among Karen armed groups should be resolved through negotiation rather than resorting to military means, Chairman Mahn Aung Pyi Soe of the Karen Democratic Party told the CNI.
Tension has escalated between the Brigade (4) of the Karen National Union and the Kawthoolei Army and resolving conflicts between Karen armed groups through military means was not acceptable for the Karen people, Karen residents in Tanintharyi Region issued a statement on 7th February.
Saw Ner Dah Mya
Mahn Aung Pyi Soe told the CNI that he supported the statements that conflicts among Karen armed groups should be settled through dialogue. Fighting between Karen armed groups is worse."
He said, "I support the statement unconditionally. It is brief but correct. They should not resort to military means. There will be no end to military conflicts. They should resolve conflicts through dialogue. They have not been able to resolve conflicts with the military even after 70 years of war.
The statement urged the groups to learn lessons from the bitter experience that resorting to military means has never resulted in better outcomes and pushed the Karen people to suffer more.
They should resolve the conflict through dialogue and it should be settled through the principle of the KNU, Saw Lay Kapaw of the Karen Peace Support Network told the CNI.
He said, "If they accept the principle of the KNU, there will be fewer differences and problems. As the KNU plays an important role in leading the Karen people, they should resolve the conflicts through dialogue to get better outcomes.
KNU Brigade (4)
The KTLA was founded in July, 2022 by former commander-in-chief of the KNDO Brig-Gen Ner Dah Mya, who was suspended from the post and is active in the area controlled by the KNU Brigade (4).
Then, conflicts between the two sides have escalated with accusations and threats and fighting has broken out between.
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CNI News
10 Feb 2023
The QR Code System will be introduced in transportation of goods through border gates such as Myawady, Muse and Chin Shwe Haw as of 11th February.
A MMK 5,000 tax will be levied on each truck.
The Department of Trade has introduced the system to systematically monitor trucks carrying goods under export licenses such as pulses and beans, corn, sesame and peanut and permit them to transport goods by applying for transportation orders.
To facilitate the process, transportation orders have been allowed to apply online.
It was necessary to issue QR Codes quickly and internet connections at checkpoints that process the QR Codes are required to be in working conditions, Vice Chairman U Than Zin Tun of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association told the CNI.
The Myawady Border Trade Zone
He said, "When we apply for QR Codes, authorities sometimes fail to issue QR Codes although we have provided complete information. It is not convenient for us. The QR Code processing software used at the 16-mile gate is different from the one used at the Yaypu Gate between Lashio and Theinni.
And there is only one QR Code processing operator at the 16-mile gate. Truck will have to wait in a long line if he is going out or attending meetings. As the QR Code processing system is based on internet connections, there are delays in the process due to weak internet connections."
QR Codes for commodities which do not require export licenses can be applied for directly.
As agricultural products are not included in the list of commodities that require QR Codes, the system does not affect rice exports, Vice Chairman of Muse Rice Exchange U Min Thein told the CNI.
He said, "The requirement for QR Codes does not affect rice exports as it is officially exported to China. QR Codes must be applied only for restricted goods. Rice and broken rice is included in the agricultural products and pulses and beans are included in the oil crops."
Freight trucks
Exporters are required to apply for QR Codes online to transport goods through the Muse, Myawady and Chin Shwe Haw.
The QR Code system is being launched on a trial basis from 1st to 10th February and taxes will not be levied during the trial run.
Truck drivers transporting goods along trade routes are required to submit the QR Codes for their goods at checkpoints, which will not allow commodities that do not have QR Codes to pass through the gates and will be asked to apply for QR Codes online to continue their journey.
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CNI News
10 Feb s023
SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that the elections held by the previous government was the notorious one and all-round efforts were being made to hold prestigious elections.
The senior general made the comment when he met with departmental officials at district and township levels and town elders from Hainggyi Kyun and Ngaputaw townships in Ayeyarwady Region on 8th February.
He said, "There are some difficulties in holding elections in some regions and states. It is necessary to hold prestigious elections accepted by the people. As the elections held by the previous government was a notorious one, all round efforts are being made to hold prestigious elections."
He added that the military had to assume state power due to irregularities during the 2020 general elections and highlighted the need to hold free and fair elections and to enable all eligible voters to cast their votes. However, activities that could lead to irregularities during the campaign and the election were found, he added.
He said, "There were suspicious activities over the elections held by the then government. It was also found that the government committed electoral frauds in the name of prevention of COVID-19. When election results were announced, impossible discrepancies in voters' lists were found and technicians were employed to investigate the voters' lists. Although authorities were asked to investigate the discrepancies repeatedly, they refused to settle the issue and the third Hluttaw was convened to take the state power illegally, leading to the current situation."
Currently, the military has declared a state of emergency since 1st February, 2021 after accusing the NLD government of forming a new government without settling electoral disputes.
The state of emergency was extended another six months on 31st January after it expired its two years term under section 425 of the 2008 constitution.
Members of the NLD, democracy activists and EAOs launched the Spring Revolution to topple the junta.
Intense fighting has erupted in Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Chin State, Karen State, and Kayah State.
The NUG, the PDF, the LDF, the CNF, the KNU, the KIA and KA have vowed to disrupt the election scheduled in 2023 by the SAC.