CNI News

22 November 2023

Myanmar Ministry of Labor has blacklisted 126 Thai companies, 20 Thai agencies and 125 representatives of Thai employers due to labor rights violations reportedly.

Due to non-compliance with regulations and labor rights violations, Thai companies, agencies and individuals in question have been blacklisted reportedly.

" Even though some Myanmar workers went with MoU, Thai employers didn't pay full salaries. Some Thai employers didn't pay their employees overtime fees. Sometimes, Myanmar workers were called for A job according to the contract, but they were sent to B job or C job. These problems were solved by relevant companies and labor officials. But it was not convenient. So, they have been blacklisted." said U Myat Thu, general secretary of the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation, to CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar workers in Thailand

Because the problem of MoU workers' rights being violated could not negotiated by labor officials, the companies should not blacklisted, those who carry out in the affairs of labors pointed out. As some associations that help in the labor affairs tend to negotiate in some cases,  labor officials should coordinate, said the people who perform labor affairs.  

The agencies in Myanmar that were blacklisted tend to change their agencies' names and the agencies that were blacklisted also would change their names, Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News.

" Is taking action real? Is it effective? We need to review it. An MoU worker - if his rights were violated, he should get reasonable compensation. If the companies and agencies didn't give compensation to him, the government needs to give because he had to invest his hard-earned money to get that job. Blacklisting alone is not enough. Those who committed rights violation should be punished or they should be asked to compensate the victimized." said Ko Naing Naing Aung.

While seeing Myanmar workers in Thailand

If there are Myanmar workers who have already paid the cost to the blacklisted Thai companies and agencies, the cost should be given back to the workers, suggested those who carry out for the labor affairs. 

Moreover, if there are Myanmar workers who are working in the blacklisted companies, they should be changed to other workplaces, they suggested.

CNI News

22 November 2023

As there are instabilities in many parts of the country, tourism industry may plummet this year, tourism and hotel operators told CNI news agency. 

Because the battles are taking place between the Tatmadaw and some EAOs in northern Shan State, Kayah State, Sagaing Region and Rakhine State, they reviewed like that. 

" Tourism industry entirely depends on regional stability. If there is no stability, tourism industry can can plummet again. Normally, a lot of tourists were likely to travel in November. this year. There were a lot of hotel bookings as well. But tourists are afraid of travelling due to the current instabilities. There have been more and more cancellations of hotel bookings. So, tourism industry can plummet again”said U Naung Naung Han, Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.

A view of Chaungtha Beach

Although tourist associations and private operators are trying to attract more tourists, the country's image is declining due to the current instabilities.

The Myanmar tourist industry plummeted due to the Covid-19 pandemic and political changes. 

However, because stakeholders tried from all sides to recover, the tourism industry improved to an extent for the 2022-2023 season. 

However, due to the current regional instabilities, stakeholders have to work twice as hard than before to recover the tourism industry for the 2024-2025 season, U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association (northern Shan State), told CNI News.

Tourists watching the sunset in Bagan

" Compared to last year, I think this year will be quite difficult. Peace is the main thing. People travels only when there is peace. .The sooner peace is achieved, the more people will travel. There will be no peace until Thingyan and the roads will be closed. if the people feel insecure, they won't travel. We have to work as hard as twice than before. We have to carry out to make tourists safe firstly. We must be able to plan tours of public interest." he said.

There have been a lot of cancellations of hotel bookings due to the current regional instabilities in Myanmar, according to tourism entrepreneurs.

During the Thadingyut holiday from 28th October to 30th October, more than 100,000 tourists entered Bagan and over 7,000 tourists including 500 foreign tourists, Ngwe Saung and 4,000 tourists including 70 foreign tourists, Ngapali.

CNI News

22 November 2023

There are reviews and discussions among the political circles about whether Myanmar could disintegrate if the armed conflicts taking place in the country could not be controlled. 

If the Tatmadaw was not able to successfully handle the armed conflicts breaking out in the border areas, the country could disintegrate.

So, the Tatmadaw needed to carefully handle it, said U Myint Swe, Acting President of the State Administration Council at the meeting of the National Defense and Security Council held on 8th November 2023.

although there was no such thing as a state of collapse of the country, the country could become like Syria, U Ba Shein, a Rakhine politician, told CNI News.

While seeing U Myint Swe

" There might not be a situation where the country can disintegrate. It might be the same problem as in Syria. But it's very important that how China, Myanmar's neighboring powerful country, could help to make Myanmar convenient. India's help is also considered important." said U Ba Shein.

Because there were also separatist movements in Myanmar's neighboring countries - China, India and Thailand, these countries would not want Myanmar to disintegrate, domestic politicians pointed out.

Myanmar gained her independence on 4th January 1948 and internal armed conflicts began to emerge in March that year. 

The armed conflicts have not been able to be solved up to now. In addition, due to political changes after 1st February 2021, armed conflicts have become more widespread across the country. 

The Three Brotherhood Alliance waged battles capturing towns and cities during its Operation-1027 that started on 27th October 2023. In the same way, revolutionary forces also waged battles capturing towns and cities.

While seeing Kawlin residents and a comrade from the PDF

Although the country might be disintegrate, revolutionary forces have not yet been oneness, Sao Khun Sai, a participant in the peace process, told CNI News.

" The country might disintegrate. It is also possible to reassemble without disintegrating. Because the PDF and most EAOs are fighting against the Tatmadaw for the time being, it is true that the influence of the Tatmadaw is declining. And its military strength also has been affected. But the Tatmadaw is still oneness. But revolutionary forces haven't been oneness. In order to win, it's necessary to be a unified leadership." he said.

The Battles are currently breaking out between the Tatmadaw and revolutionary forces including some EAOs in Kayah, Kayin, Rakhine, Chin States, Sagaing and Magway Regions.

As a result of these battles, civilians were injured and killed. Moreover, houses were damaged or burnt down and many civilians fled to safety. The country's politics, peace, economy, health and education are deteriorating.

CNI News

21 November 2023

The Tatmadaw did not use poison gas bomb while it was fighting against the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the Tatmadaw on 19th November 2023. 

When the TNLA had captured the heavy weapon hill, a new camp of the Tatmadaw, the Tatmadaw used poison gas bomb to attack the TNLA, the TNLA stated on 19th November 2023. 

In the same way, it also stated on 4th November 2023 that the Tatmadaw attacked with the poison gas bomb during the Mong Kyet camp battle in Lashio Township.

While seeing the TNLA forces

" The TNLA forces attacked our Kar Kin Gon (defense outpost hill) in Namkham and the Tatmadaw also attacked back. As usual, they complain like that when there are more casualties on their side. Because the frontline security camps in Namkham counterattacked bravely to the enemy, so many enemy troops were killed. I'd like to say that heads of State and the Tatmadaw are proud of officers, soldiers and warrioresses all who fought back against the enemy bravely." said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

The Tatmadaw would crush down the invaders and carry out for the territorial stability, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun. 

The TNLA has requested neighboring countries and international community to take action against the Tatmadaw that fought with poison gas bomb.

Due to the poison gas bomb used by the Tatmadaw, some TNLA comrades were similarly poisoned and they were feeling dizziness, breathing fast, nauseous, rapid excitement, fatigue, severe oxygen deficiency and they are being cured by the TNLA's health department, said in the statement released by the TNLA.

While seeing the statement released by the TNLA

Regarding the statement that poison gas bombs were used, it was difficult to prove and the Tatmadaw would use any weapon that it could, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" Regarding that, it's hard to say. But military council will use any weapon that it can. It was said not long ago that the Tatmadaw used cluster bombs.. But any technological evidence was not found. We can only speculate on the impact. Besides, regarding the bomb was dropped on the KIA refugee camp, it has not yet been identified what the bomb is. So, it's difficult for me to give an opinion." said U Than Soe Naing.

With its allies - the Arakan Army and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the TNLA is waging the Operation-1027 in northern Shan State and fighting against the Tatmadaw.

CNI News

21 November 2023

Nationalist elements protested against China to stop interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar on 19th November 2023 because they have believed that China is behind the Operation-1027 being waged by the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA, TNLA and MNDAA). 

Nationalist elements protested against China in front of the Chinese Embassy in Yangon and in front of the City Hall of Yangon.

They protested against China, holding handheld signs that have been written as follow: "Protest against those who interfere in the internal affairs, We don't accept the plot that the union will be disintegrated. 

This is our country - our union - our domestic affairs. Who is interfering? Protect the motherland. Let's protect the union together.

While nationalist elements were protesting against China on 19th November 2023

Moreover, they also protested holding slogan demanding China to stop supporting terrorist attacks taking place in northern Shan State.

In cooperation with the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA), the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the Karenni Nationalities Defense Army (KNDF), the Burmese National Revolutionary Army (BNRA), the People's Defense Force-Mandalay (PDF-MDY), the Three Brotherhood Alliance has been launching the Operation-1027 since 27th October, 2023 in Theinni, Thibaw, Naunghkio, Kyaukme, Mong Ko, Phaung Sai, Kyukote (Pang Sai), Namkham, Muse, Lashio, Chin Shwe Haw Townships. 

The operation has been attacking the Tatmadaw camps and is waging battles to capture towns and cities.

The Chinese government had probably known when or in which situation that operation would end. If China did not agree, the Three Brotherhood Alliance would not launch the operation. Moreover, China was supporting the operation, said domestic politicians and military experts.

So, the nationalist elements have been staging protests against the Chinese government in Yangon and Naypyidaw since the third week of this month.

CNI News
19 November 2023

Military and political experts are reviewing how the Tatmadaw is changing its military strategy. The Tatmadaw's local battalions are joined by weak outposts and police stations and they are attacking the revolutionary forces in response.

If a battle broke out, police or soldiers desert their weaker camps and should join the stronger camps, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator told CNI News.

" In the past, troops were distributed at all camps. For example, a camp might have 10 forces. Of them, when a troop took leave, the camp had gone weaker. At that time, if the forces had not prepared, they might have been hurt. If they would desert their camp, they would have to ask order. If they didn't want to ask order, they might have been hurt after being attacked. But now, weak camps have joined in stronger camps. It is called 'moving defense'. It's a thing that should be done. Soldiers from the Tatmadaw had to surrender for the sake of their children and families. It was not a big deal." said Dr.Aung Myo.

While some troops from the Tatmadaw were surrendering at the MNDAA

All the troops from the Light Infantry Battalion-129 and their families surrendered at the Three Brotherhood Alliance on 12th November, 2023 reportedly. That the entire battalion surrendered was true and they had to surrender because it might be dangerous to the lives of their families, U Kyi Myint, a Myanmar political commentator told CNI News.

" They surrendered really. They didn't receive reinforcement. They didn't believe one another. They felt they were used. So, they don't want to sacrifice their lives anymore. Moreover, they were worried that their families would be killed at the battle." said U Kyi Myint.

Moreover, Rikhawdar Town, Falam Township, Chin State near India-Myanmar border was captured by the revolutionary forces on 14th November 2023 and security forces fled to the Indian side and took refuge.

While seeing jet fighters from the Myanmar Tatmadaw

In the same way, 32 security forces surrendered during the battle in Loikaw, the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) stated on 15th November 2023.

At present,the battles are taking place in Kayin, Kayah, Chin States, northern Shan State, Rakhine State, Sagaing and Magway Regions between the Tatmadaw and revolutionary forces including some EAOs.

Myanmar Tatmadaw might change its military strategy. Otherwise, it might face with military and political crises more, said military experts.

CNI News
19 November 223

An MoU has been signed to export coarse salt produced in Mon State to South Korea according to the Mon State Salt Business Association.

Due to South Korea's demand for salt, an MoU was signed with a company from South Korea on the last week of September and arrangements were made to export salt from Myanmar to South Korea, U Khin Soe, a salt expert from Mon State, told CNI News.

" The chairman of the cable car company in Kyaiktiyo offered a South Korea company to export salt from Mon State to South Korea. And then the company came to Myanmar and inspected the quality of the salt from Mon State. After that, they signed an MoU." he said.

Although three million tons of salt is produced in South Korea each year, its demand for salt is about seven million tons reportedly.

While seeing salt industry

Preparations must be made to meet the required standards so that the salt produced in Mon State can be exported to South Korea, said salt businessmen.

If salt is exported to South Korea, salt farmers will have a market and they will carry out to meet the required standard, Ko Kyaw Lwin, a salt farmer from Thanbyuzayat Township, told CNI News.

" That salt can be exported is an opportunity for us. South Korea wants to import salt from 10 to 20 percent of their needs. That South Korea wants to connect with Myanmar is a good sign. The price of salt fetches a good price and will be stable. Salt farmers in Mon State will carry out to get the required quality for export 30 percent of salt farmers in Mon State are performing to get the quality that can be exported." he said.

At present, as salt farmers in Mon State have sold their salt that they have stored, the price of salt is a bit falling and the price of coarse salt is about 200 kyats per viss (1 viss equals to 3.6 lb).

More than 50,000 tons of salt are produced annually from more than 4,500 acres of salt fields in Mon State and the salt is used in Mon State, Bago, Tanintharyi and Yangon Regions reportedly.

CNI News
19 November 2023

As the country is facing with crises in politics, economy and peace due to the current battles breaking out in the country, a question is emerging among the political circles in relation to how the Tatmadaw would handle the crises.

The armed conflict has become more widespread due to the political landscape that changed after 1st February 2021.

After that, the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA, TNLA and MNDAA) is waging battles capturing towns and cities during the Operation-1027 started on 27th October 2023.

In the same way, armed forces called PDF (the People's Defense Force) are waging battles capturing towns and cities. If the Tatmadaw could not control these situations, EAOs probably would demand confederation higher than federalism, Col.Khun Okka, an EAO leader, told CNI News.

While meeting senior military officials from the Tatmadaw at the 8th anniversary celebration of the NCA

" If the Tatmadaw cannot control, some EAOs could demand confederation. But it needs to be nationwide. If all the stakeholders want federalism, we have to use federalism. It might be difficult if some EAOs want confederation." he said.

The Arakan Army (AA) and the Tatmadaw that ceased fire in sympathy with the public harm resume fighting on 13th November.

The Tatmadaw might be able to control these situations, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" It depends on the Tatmadaw. In my opinion, the Tatmadaw hasn't done anything innovative. It would be able to control many situations if it armed those supporting the Tatmadaw with weapons. It's hard to say what the Tatmadaw will do next for the time being. I think they will understand what they will do." said Dr.Aung Myo.

The battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the revolutionary forces including some EAOs in Kayin, Kayah, Chin, Shan (north), Rakhine States, Sagaing and Magway Regions.

CNI News
19 November 2023

Behind the operations Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA, TNLA and MNDAA) is waging in northern Shan State is China, which some EAO leaders and nationalist elements have believed.

So, nationalist elements made protests against China in Naypyidaw and Yangon on 16th November 2023. Ko Sithu Myint, vise chairman of the Myanmar Nationalists Network and Yangon patriots protested in Yangon.

Naung Taw Lay, general secretary of the network and Naypyidaw patriots protested in Naypyidaw.

" I just want to tell them to put out the fire that they set on by themselves. Countries involved know what I mean. The State Administration Council (SAC) held the 8th anniversary celebration of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). By turning a blind eye to these, they are making the country unstable, which we have no reason to accept. It is not that we are supporting the Tatmadaw. We are just protecting our three national causes. Because we see that they are encroaching on our sovereignty, our network make a protest today." said Ko Sithu Myint.

While Myanmar nationalist elements were protesting against China in Naypyidaw and Yangon on 16th November 2023

In cooperation with the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA), The People's Defense Force-Mandalay (PDF-MDY), and the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the Three Brotherhood Alliance - the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army(MNDAA), the Arakan Army (AA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) started the Operation-1027 on 27th October in Theinni, Namkham, Muse, Chin Shwe Haw, Naunghkio, Phaungsai and Kyukote (Pangsai) in northern Shan State and are fighting against the Tatmadaw camps.

After that, they are capturing towns and cities.

Because northern allies and PDFs are using China-made weapons and drones and fighting against the Tatmadaw, China should prevent it, military experts pointed out.

While the MNDAA was capturing the Tatmadaw camps in northern Shan State

Kachin, China and Wa might take part in planning the operation, said Col.Khun Okka, an EAO leader.

" China has known it in advance, I think. But China won't tell directly. China might tell through Wa. Kachin also participate in planning the operation. So, behind the operation might be Kachin, Wa and China." said Col. Khun Okka to CNI News.

At present, the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA, MNDAA and TNLA) is attacking the Tatmadaw camps and waging battles capturing towns and cities in northern Shan State and so are the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) and the Karenni Army (KA) in Kayah State and so is the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State and so are the Karen
National Union (KNU) and the People's Defense Force (PDF) in Kayin State and so are the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the PDF in Kachin State and so are the KIA, the AA, PDF and ABSDF in Sagaing Region.

Behind these armed forces seem to be China and US.

Nationalist groups made protests to condemn foreign interference and oppose interference in internal affairs in Naypyidaw and Yangon.