CNI News

31 Jan 2023

Labour activists told the CNI that they welcomed the move by the Ministry of Labour of Thailand to extend the stay and work permits of more than 100,000 foreign MOU workers including Myanmar nationals whose four-year permits have expired.

About 60,000 migrant workers whose four-year permits expired during the period from 1st November to 31st December, 2022 and about 50,000 migrant workers whose four-year permits are expiring from 1st Jan to 31 July, 2023 were permitted to stay and work in Thailand for six months starting from the expiry of their permits.

As identity document renewals for workers by Myanmar authorities have been delayed, it was a relief for Myanmar workers, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

 Migrant workers.

He told the CNI, "It gives Myanmar workers enough time to renew their identity documents, especially passports. If valid periods of their passports expire, it is impossible for Thai authorities to renew their visas and permits. Now, Thailand has unilaterally extended their visas and permits. The two governments should have cooperated for such programs because they both have known whose passports have already expired and are expiring. Myanmar authorities announced that they will allow to renew passports which expired in 2022 and passports that are expiring in 2023 are required to wait. However, workers are required to have at least a six-month valid period for renewing their visas and permits."

As the Myanmar embassy in Thailand has not been able to renew passports in a timely manner, authorities have requested Thai counterparts to extend the visas and work permits of Myanmar workers until 1st August. As a result, migrant workers have been allowed to stay and work in Thailand until their identity documents have been renewed by extending the process of the CI Centre, according to a statement of the Ministry of Labour.

Migrant workers.

It is impossible to complete the renewals of all passports of Myanmar workers within six months, Labour Activist for Myanmar workers Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "The renewal process cannot be completed within six months because there are millions and millions of Myanmar workers including three groups of pink card holders in Thailand. Under visa regulations, migrants whose passports have expired can be detained. Everything depends on the policies of the Thai government."

Currently, Thai authorities have allowed employers to hire migrant workers without sending them back to their countries, according to the decision of the meeting of the Ministry of Labour.

CNI News

31 Jan 2023

Political parties said provisions of the new registration law for political parties are very confusing.

Under the new law, his party is forced to register four times, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "Our party has offices in Rakhine State, Yangon and Ayeyarwady regions and Paletwa in Chin State. So, we are required to register four parties at four places including Rakhine State, Yangon Region, Ayeyarwady Region and Chin State."

Provisions of the new political party registration law.

He added that the multi-party democracy system required strong political parties that would bring development of the country through stability and the current situation posed a lot of difficulties for political parties.

The new political parties registration law signed by Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing requires regional parties to deposit MMK 10 million at one of the Myanmar Economic Banks and recruit at least 1,000 party members within 90 days of registration.

Meanswhile, national political parties are required to deposit MMK 100 million at one of the MEBs and recruit at least 100,000 party members within 90 days after registration.

It is difficult for his party to register under the new law enacted by the SAC, Spokesperson Naing Than Shwe of the Mon Unity Party told the CNI.

The Union Election Commission meets political parties.

He said, "Under the new law, we will have to register with the Mon State Election Sub-commission. If we want to compete in an election in Kayin State, we will have to register another party in Kayin State. We will have to deposit another MMK 10 million and recruit another 1,000 members in that state. We will have to do the same if we want to compete in other states and regions including Tanintharyi Region, Yangon Region and Bago Region. It is difficult for us because our population is dispersed in all these regions."

Under the new political parties registration law, political parties are required to re-register within 60 days from the enactment of the law by the SAC.

CNI News

29 Jan 2023

Low quality paddy prices in Myanmar have more significantly risen recently than during the harvest, hitting MMK 1.6 million per 100 baskets.

Myanmar has faced poor harvests thie year due to the decrease in cultivation acreage and damage of crops caused by weather conditions, according to farmers.

Prices of low quality paddy have risen to MMK 1.6 million per 100 baskets while that of high quality paddy has increased to as much as MMK 2 million per 100 baskets, Chairman U Thein Aung of Farmers Development Association told the CNI.

Paddy farmers. (GETTY IMAGES)

He told the CNI, "During the harvest, the prices of low quality paddy like Thukah and Pakham varieties, which are mainly consumed by the grassroots, rose to MMK 1 million per 100 baskets. Now, the prices of the Thukha variety have risen to MMK 1.4 million per 100 baskets. The prices of such rice varieties have also risen to as much as MMK 50,000 per bag. The prices of Pawhsan variety paddy have also increased from MMK 1.6 per 100 baskets during the harvest to MMK 2 million per 100 baskets recently. As the harvest was poor, merchants who have signed export contracts have to buy as much paddy as they can at higher prices to meet the demand. They have to take paddy yields, export demand and domestic consumption into consideration and have to buy paddy at higher prices because if they refused to do so, no one would sell paddy to them."

While paddy prices have risen, farmers had incurred higher input costs during the cultivation season. Input costs rose four-fold during the cultivation.

At the same time, labour and transportation costs were higher than the previous year and farmers are not as profitable as they should.

A heap of paddy. (AFP)

As input costs were very high, they were not able to use enough fertilizers, pesticides, weedkillers and supplements and per-acre-yields have dropped by 50 percent.

Paddy prices have increased in Shwebo, where paddy cultivation dropped by two-thirds, but millers cannot go to buy paddy from farmers due to regional instability and farmers have to go and sell paddy to mills when the situation is stable, according to millers.

As paddy prices have risen in Shwebo, merchants and brokers have stopped buying paddy because of high prices but they still remain at their highest, according to a rice miller in Shwebo.

Farmers. (GETTY IMAGES)

He said, "It is difficult to go to villages to buy paddy at present. When the security situation is stable for two or three days, farmers come to us to sell their paddy. Merchants from towns dare not go to villages to buy paddy because they do not know the security situation on the ground. Farmers come to us to sell paddy when there are no military operations. The prices of Shwebo Pawhsan have hit MMK 2 million per 100 baskets. As the prices are high, merchants and brokers have stopped buying. Paddy prices at this level are not profitable for millers. So, no one buys paddy in large volumes. Paddy prices have stagnated at a higher level."

As China-Myanmar border gates have been reopened, rice demands in Muse are increasing.

As rice is also exported from the maritime trade while the harvest was poor, some people are worried about rice sufficiency and are storing rice. As a result, rice prices have risen, according to economic observers.

Although rising paddy prices are profitable for farmers and merchants, the public is worried about rising rice prices.

            -

CNI News

29 Jan 2023

Armed clashes are likely to intensify in Myanmar, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

If the Myanmar military quit politics and discharged its original duties of national defence and security, it would be a prestigious institution, he added.

U Pe Than told the CNI, "I think political changes will take place sooner or later. Political and military exits for the junta are getting narrower and narrower because they are closing their own way. If they quit politics and discharged their original duties of national defence and security, the junta would be a prestigious institution admired by the people. If it has continued to be involved in politics forcefully, it is closing its own way. It seems that the military is creating its own timetable to be involved in the vicious politics and military circle. Therefore, military conflicts will intensify and the junta will be clinging to politics and oppress the people more fiercely."

The National Unity Government announced that the year 2023 would be the decisive year for the Spring Revolution.

Troops from the Southern Command undergoing training.

Currently, fighting has intensified between the military and joint forces of the Karen National Union and the People Defence Force and political observers said armed conflicts could have an impact on the political changes.

The more intensified the armed conflicts, the fewer the chances for political dialogue, Director U Thein Tun Oo of the Strategic Studies told the CNI.

He said, "Generally, the more intensified the armed conflicts, the fewer the chances of political dialogue. It might be a little more difficult to hold talks. However, not all Karen factions have the same approach. So, some factions which want to take the correct path to peace will have chances to achieve peace. It is difficult for hardline factions which uphold armed struggle to engage in talks. Opportunities for peace will never disappear completely. The situation may be more lukewarm than before. As the KNU is divided into two factions, one is more enthusiastic about the armed struggle while the other supports the peace process. Therefore, there are opportunities for pacifists. Outcomes depend on the extent of cooperation and talks."

Gen Yawd Serk meets the leader of the SAC peace negotiation team.

Currently, armed clashes have erupted between the military and various armed groups including the Kachin Independence Army, the KNU, the Karenni National Progressive Party, the Chin National Front and the PDFs in Karen State, Kayah (Karenni) State, Chin State, Sagaing and Magway regions.

On the other hand, the State Administration Council is holding peace talks with the Shan State Restoration Council, the Arakan Liberation Party, the Palaung National Liberation Organization, the Lahu Democratic Union, the New Mon State Party, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, the KNU/KNLA (PC), the United Wa State Army, the National Democratic Alliance Army and the Shan State Progressive Party.

CNI News

29 Jan 2023                

Chairman of State Administration Council Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said the Tatmadaw supported the multi-party democracy system and would continue to implement it.

The chairman made the comment during the union government meeting 1/2023 on 27th January.

The senior general said, "As for political systems, the Tatmadaw has supported the multi-party democracy system and will continue to implement it and one of its objectives is to build a union based on democracy and federalism."

He reiterated that a general election would be held in 2023 and power would be transferred to the winning party.

Political changes took place due to vote-rigging in the 2020 general election and measures are being taken to address the instability caused by political differences in accordance with the law, he added.

The SAC is making preparations to hold the election and adopted a new political parties registration law on 26th January.

On the other hand, members of the NLD, democracy activists, civil society organizations and armed organizations are launching the Spring Revolution to topple the junta and to disrupt the election.

CNI News

28 Jan 2023

Although the State Administration Council has enacted a law requiring political parties to reregister, the National League for Democracy is unlikely to do so, Political Observer Advocate U Kyee Myint told the CNI.

A new political parties registration law for elections scheduled in August was signed into law by SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 26th January.

U Kyee Myint told the CNI, "I don't think the NLD will re-register because it has already register once. Before the 2010 elections were held, political parties were required to re-register. When U Thein Sein permitted the NLD to compete the by-election, the NLD was forced to re-register. Political situation then was different from the current one. Politicians always say political parties can be formed anytime as long as they enjoy public support. Leading NLD politician U Win Tin always said that. However, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi did not listen to U Win Tin's advice. I don't think the NLD will re-register this time.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Most NLD leaders are in jail at present and some NLD members who are in good relations with the SAC may re-register under the name of the NLD, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "The majority of NLD leaders are in prison while some of them have been sentenced to death. A large number of lawmakers are being detained. The CRPH and the NUG are organizations that are fighting against the SAC. They have announced that they would not recognize the elections and the NLD has announced that it would not contest the elections held by the SAC. However, there may be black sheep or nominal NLD members who are in good relations with the SAC. It is a political issue. They may be able to use the NLD in name only and will not garner support of the people. They may use new political parties but they will be notorious in history. There were precedents."

Under the new political parties registration law, political parties that represent the entire country are required to deposit MMK 100 million in a bank account at one of the Myanmar Economic Banks and to recruit 100,000 members within 90 days after their registration has been approved.

Some NLD members may re-register the party and contest elections but it is difficult for them to recruit 100,000 new members, U Kyee Myint added.

Supporters of the NLD. (Frontier Myanmar)

He said, "One of the risk is that some traitors from the NLD may re-register the NLD and contest the elections. As the majority of the party do not re-register, they may re-register the party. Deposit MMK 100 million is nothing for them. However, it is difficult for them to recruit 100,000 members. So, the NLD is unlikely to contest the elections."

Top NLD leaders including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Win Myint and Dr Zaw Myint Maung are being detained by the military.

Some central executive committee members like U Hanthar Myint and Dr Myo Nyunt have been released by the junta but they cannot be seen in the current political activities. Other central executive committee members Daw May Win Myint and U Aung Kyi Nyunt are taking part in the Spring Revolution.

CNI News

28 Jan 2023

Although Nandaw Gate, an immigration checkpoint at the Chinese-Myanmar border has been reopened, red book border passes are issued only for residents of Muse and Namkham, according to the Immigration Department in Muse.

Myanmar nationals who have stranded in China have been allowed to come back through the gate but red book border passes are issued only for residents of Muse and Namkhm, an official from the Information and Public Relation Department told the CNI.

A health notice at the Myanmar-China border

He said, "Border passes are issued only for residents of Muse and Namkham who have household lists in the towns. Freight trucks and drivers are allowed to pass through the border at Manwain Gate. The immigration department has taken measures to prevent agents and border passes will be issued to residents who apply for them in person. So, local residents can easily go to China border trade."

However, it was posted on social media that it costs Yuan 1,000 (MMK 400,000) to apply for a border pass.

Agents will not be allowed to apply for border passes on behalf of their clients and it costs only MMK 500 for a resident to apply for a border pass in person, an immigration officer told the CNI.

She said, "It cost MMK 500 only for the border pass book. Applicants are required to queue at the office in person. We have heard rumours that it costs between MMK 1 and 1.2 million to apply for the border pass. The district immigration officer has instructed us to collect MMK 500 only for the book and applicants are required to queue at our office in person. We issue border passes to applicants whether they pay more than MMK 500 or not."

Muse Nandaw Gate

The border passes are used in the entry and exit from the two countries and are valid for six days and seven nights.

Currently, authorities have allowed residents to pass through the Nandaw Gate and small vehicles are permitted to pass through the Sin Phyu Gate.

The Manwain Gate is used for six-wheel vehicles while container trucks and eight-wheel trucks are permitted to pass through Khin San Kyawt gate.

CNI News

28 Jan 2023

Renewing identity documents poses a major problem for Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand have faced more problems in renewing their identity documents than in their workplaces, and are forced to pay large sums of money for renewing their documents, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

Labour activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI,"The main problem in renewing identity documents is costs. Migrant workers are in deep trouble for their documents. If they have large families, it is more difficult for them. They have to spend tens of thousands of Baht or at least Baht 15,000 to renew their documents. As it is time to renew their documents, they have to spend a large proportion of their incomes for the renewals. It is difficult for them to renew their documents by themselves, they have to rely on agents. As a result, it costs more money for them and sometimes they are cheated out of their money. As commodity prices are rising on a daily basis. Some employers offer advances to their workers to renew their documents because they understand the situation their workers face. However, some employers take interest in their advances and keep the documents. Therefore, there are problems when their workers want to change jobs.

Migrant workers waiting in queue to renew their passports in front of the Myanmar embassy in Thailand.

Currently, Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand have to renew their documents including passports, certificates of identity, pink cards, work permits and visas.

Moreover, Myanmar workers who came to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries are required to renew their MOU work permits at the end of January.

As a large number of Myanmar migrant workers are renewing their documents, there are some delays, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

Adviser U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI, "If their documents are not valid because authorities are not able to renew them in a timely manner, the workers will face problems. If such documents can be renewed easily by workers themselves, there will be no agents and workers will be able to pay fees set by authorities. As they have to hire agents, they have to pay Baht 10,000 for document renewal which will incur only Baht 4,000 if they could renew them by themselves. If authorities from both countries can adopt sound policies for the workers in cooperation, it will be beneficial for migrant workers."

As the current renewal processes for documents in Thailand is complicated and take a long time, it is difficult for workers to renew their documents by themselves.

As a result, they have to rely on agents, who sometimes cheat them out of their money.

Activists have warned migrant workers not to make advance payments for document renewals.

CNI News

28 Jan 2023

Armed conflicts erupted between the Shanni Nationalities Army and the joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army and the People's Defence Forces in Tawsi Village in Homalin Township in upper Sagaing Region on 27th January.

The KIA and PDF forces launched an attack on the SNA outpost in Tawsi village from 6 am to 11 am, a local resident told the CNI.

He said, "We heard gunshots and heavy weapon fires until 11 am. It was said that a member of the SNA was injured and two personnel from the KIA/PDF were killed during the fighting.

 Homalin.

NSA Spokesperson Lt-Col Sai Aung Mein confirmed that a member of the SNA was injured.

He told the CNI, "Yes, fighting has erupted but I cannot provide details because it is difficult to contact our troops. One of our troops was injured."

The CNI was not able to verify the casualties during the conflicts independently while the KIA was not available for comments.

Joint forces of the KAI and the PDF attacked an SNA checkpoint in Hsezin Village in Hpakant Township at 4 am on 26th January.