CNI News

20 Jan 2023

Although the new Sittwe Port, a part of the Kaladan Multi-modal Transport Transit Project, has not been inaugurated officially, trading operations at the port have already started, according to merchants.

Rice was exported from the new port to Bangladesh at the beginning of January, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the CN

The new Sittwe Port.

He said, "The official inauguration ceremony hasn't been held but its operations have already started. A ship exported rice to Bangladesh used the port for the first time recently."

Although foreign ships and export ships are allowed to use the new port, other freight vessels have not been allowed to use the port.

Although the new port has been in operation, no other ships have used the port and trade will be facilitated only after regular shipping lines and coastal liners have resumed, he added.

He told the CNI, "The new port has been in operation. It is important to ply regular scheduled ships between Sittwe and Bangladesh and Kolkata and coastal liners. Only then, trade will be facilitated gradually. At present, the port is in operation but there are no regular shipping lines to transport goods."

A road junction in Rakhine State.

As a part of the Kaladan Multi-modal Transport Transit Project, the new Sittwe port links directly with the Kolkata port while it can also be used for trade with the Chittagong port in Bangladesh.

The new port can handle vessels as heavy as 6000 tons and facilitate trade, according to merchants.

They haven't known how port authorities will provide services for local merchants, Merchant U Than Naing told the CNI.

He said, "The new port will contribute to direct trade with India but we still don't know how the port will operate. Are we allowed to trade with India? We still need to know whether authorities have permitted us to export pulses and beans and corn from the port to India and to import goods we need like construction materials."

After the port has been in operation, merchants and entrepreneurs are holding negotiations with Indian authorities to run vessels along the route monthly or weekly.

Measures are also being taken to allow local coastal liners to dock at the port.

CNI News

19 Jan 2023

Summer paddy cultivation has expanded in Rakhine State, according to paddy farmers there.

Rising paddy prices and increased water supply for dams contribute to expansion of summer paddy cultivation, Farmer U Maung Hti told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "I grew from 60 to 70 acres of paddy last year and have summer paddy cultivation upto 200 acres as irrigation staff dug a channel. Another reason is that rice prices this year are profitable for us."

According to statistics of the Rakhine State Agriculture Department, the cultivation of summer paddy in the state increased by about 700 acres from 800 acres last year to 1,500 acres this year.

 Farmers in a paddy field.

Summer paddy in Rakhine State is grown in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya and Rathedaung townships and Kyauktaw township has the largest acreage of summer paddy. Water irrigation is facilitated by the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation while the Agriculture Department offers seeds.

Water supply for summer paddy is irrigated from rivers and dams and some paddy fields, which are located far away from rivers, have faced difficulties, Farmer U Than Win Swe told the CNI.

He said, "We prepared to cultivate summer paddy at first but water did not flow to our fields through irrigation channels because they are about 400 feet away from the pump. Officials form the DWRI told us they would magane to irrigate our fields.

First, we expected to cultivate about 100 acres of paddy but we decided to cultivate only about 30 acres as we are worried about irrigated water.

Two women farmers in a paddy field.

For the benefits of farmers and exports, paddy should be cultivated twice a year in Rakhine State and it is necessary to implement irrigation projects and river water pumping projects properly, according to farmers.

There are about 10 dams in Rakhine State but summer paddy cultivation has dropped in the state as water supply from the dams is unpredictable. There are one million acres of land for paddy in Rakhine State but summer paddy is cultivated on only about 300,000 acres of paddy fields.

 CNI News

19 Jan 2023

The reopening of Myawady-Mae Sot No. (1) Friendship Bridge, which was closed due to COVID-19, has brought more benefits for Thailand, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

Although the bridge has been reopened since 12th January, 2023, only a few people from Myanmar visited Thailand on day return trips while only a small number of Myanmar migrant workers returned through the bridge.

Ko Thar Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrant workers, told the CNI, " Myanmar authorities do not receive as much visa fee as their Thai counterparts because Thailand has raised border pass fees from Baht 20 to Baht 60. And when a Myanmar migrant return to Myanmar through the bridge, Thai visa authorities collect Baht 1,000 (more than MMK 80,000) per person to stamp their seals on returnees' passports. All these are revenues for the Thai government. In addition, Thai immigration authorities asked for Baht 100 to 200 per person on the bridge illegally. There are more than 5 million Myanmar nationals who hold Thai visas officially. Reopening the bridge is beneficial for the grassroots and the two governments but this brings more benefits for Thailand."

Scenes on the No (1) Myawady-Mae Sot friendship bridge.

Thanks to the reopening of the bridge, it is easier for Myanmar migrant workers who want to return to Myanmar and those who want to work in Thailand as daily earners to travel to and fro Thailand.

Before the closures of the bridge, Myanmar migrant workers used to return to Myanmar in hundreds but only a few of them have returned so far due to security reasons.

Advisor U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI, "The aim of reopening the bridge is not to help migrant workers but to facilitate border trade. As the bridge was closed for three years, both countries lost millions of US dollars. So, the two government tried to reopen the bridge. However, migrant workers who want to return to Myanmar officially can go home through the bridge. So, workers welcomed the move but they are worried about the security situation because of the armed conflicts on the side of Myanmar."

As security measures are being taken properly in Thailand, Myanmar authorities should follow suit, Thailand-based labour activists said.

So far, the bridge has been reopened for only a few days and small vehicles and passengers are allowed to pass the bridge. Freight trucks have not been allowed to pass through the bridge.

Border trade will gradually improve gradually and the Myanmar currency is likely to appreciate against Baht.

Border trade between the two countries hit Baht 100 trillion per month until 2019 before the outbreak of COVID-19, according to statistics of the Ministry of Commerce.

CNI News

19 Jan 2023

Chinese officials told him that they are willing to offer assistance for the peace process in Myanmar, Chairman Dr Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Party told the CNI.

China is also interested in the second round of ceasefire between the United League of Arakan and the Myanmar military, he added.

Dr Aye Maung told the CNI, "China is keenly interested in Myanmar politics, especially in the second round of ceasefire between the ULA/AA and the military. Based on their expressions and words, I think they want to offer the peace process between the ULA/AA and the military and the Northern Alliance and the military.

Commander-in-Chief Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing of the AA.

The first round of ceasefire between the AA and the Tatmadaw collapsed in August and armed conflicts resumed.

Then, both sides reached a new ceasefire deal on 26th November to alleviate the suffering of local residents in Rakhine State.

China really wants to see peace prevail in Myanmar because it is in their interests, Political Observer Dr Aung Myo told the CNI.

He said, "Everything depends on interests. Restoring peace in Myanmar is beneficial for China. So, China really wants to offer assistance for the peace process in Myanmar. However, China is pragmatic in their historical tradition. They give priority to pragmatic approaches rather than to policies. As a result, China gives priority to their interests like the pipeline and trade in the political crisis in Myanmar. So, they offer assistance for such areas. However, China will not abandon ethnic armed organizations and will use them as required."

Three members of the Northern Alliance hold talks with the NSPNC.

China invested in 479-mile long oil and gas pipelines connecting the Kyaukphyu Deepsea Port in Rakhine State and Kunming in Yunnan Province in China and border trade between the two countries accounts for millions of dollars every year.
Currently, Myanmar has been engulfed in armed conflicts and hit by political, economic, social, health and education crises.

China and Myanmar share a more than 1,300-mile long border, where many ethnic armed organizations including the Kachin Independence Army, the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army, the Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army, the United Wa State Party, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the National Democratic Alliance Army and the Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta'ang National Liberation Arme.

CNI News

18 Jan 2023

The three-step driver shunting requirement has been lifted at Muse-Kyinsankyawt border gate, according to border merchants in Muse.

Thanks to removing the requirements, merchants don't have to pay for replace-drivers and can save about MMK 150,000 per truck and trade flow will be facilitated in the long run, Vice Chairman U Min Thein of Muse Rice Exchange told the CNI.

Trucks leading to China.

He said, "We had to replace three drivers to transport goods to China in the past. Now, we don't have to replace drivers from from Shwelwein and Shweli River from the 105-mile border trade zone. So, we save MMK 150,000 for replacing drivers and we don't have to wait to replace drivers. However, the requirement to replace drivers at the Chinese side has not been lifted."

The driver shunting requirement was introduced during the COVID-19 outbreak in the two countries and merchants cost a lot of money for the requirement.

Moreover, border trade was delayed as truck drivers had to wait at the shunting ground and there was a shortage of trucks, as a result.

 Watermelon trucks.

Watermelon farmer Ko Thitsar said, "We welcome the move to lift the restriction step by step. It is true that border trade is a little facilitated. However, cultivation of watermelons dropped by 60 percent due to transportation problems and instabilities. So, only between 50 and 100 truckloads of watermelons are exported to China daily and traffic is convenient. However, when farmers expand cultivation of watermelons, about 300 or 400 truckloads of watermelons will be exported to China and there will be traffic jams. I think there will be problems in the long term."

The driver shunting requirement was introduced to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

China lifted its zero-COVID-19 policies at the end of 2022 and Myanmar lifted driver-shunting requirements on 15th January, 2023.

Truck owners, drivers and merchants hope the last driver shunting requirement will be lifted by China depending on the spread of COVID-19 in China.

CNI News

18 Jan 2023

Clashes broke out between the Shanni National Army and allied forces of the Kachin Independence Army and the People's Defence Forces in Kyaukse Village in Banmauk Township in Sagaing Region. Lt-Col Sai Aung Mein of the SNA told the CNI.

The clashes erupted between them from 2 pm to 5 pm on 16th January and tensions between them have escalated, he added.

He told the CNI, "It was learnt that four of the enemies were killed during the fighting and our troops did not suffer any casualties. Our troops have occupied a hill and an outpost. There are so many outposts near Kyaukse Village. I cannot pinpoint the outpost but it is one of the outposts they seized from us last year.

The CNI contacted KIA spokesperson Col Naw Bu, who did not answer the phone.

It was learnt that fighting broke out in remote Kyaukse Village at the border of Homalin and Banmauk townships, a local resident told the CNI.

Troops of the KIA.

He said, " Although the village is famous because a creek is blocked by rock mountains, forming a dam, it is very difficult to access. There is a large monastery but there are only a few households in the village. Its nearest village is Magyigone Village but it takes a long time to travel to the village."

Armed clashes broke out between the SNA and a 200-strong joint force of the KIA and PDFs on 20th August, 2022, when the latter attacked the former. Fighting continued until 23 August the same year.
The two sides fought against each other when the KIA-allied forces launched attacks on an SNA outpost near Hsezin Village in Hpakant Township on 8th August, 2022.

The joint forces of the KIA and the PDF are systematically creating division between the SNA and local residents, Lt-Col Sai Aung Mein said.

Troops of the PDFs.

He said, "The KIA and the PDF want to control the entire Banmauk area and infiltrate Homalin Township. Although they said they are allied forces of the KIA and the PDF, they are forcefully recruiting local residents into the PDFs and forcing them to fight against us. So, we are forced with our own local residents. We don't want to fight our own local residents. They are systematically creating division among us by driving a wedge among us. It is a war that has driven a wedge among our own national races.

The SNA is trying to establishing Shanni State in Mawlike District, Kalay District, Hkamti District, Katha District and Tamu District in Sagaing Region and Bhamo District, Myitkyina District, Mohnyin District and Mokaung District in Kachin State.

The KIA is an ethnic armed group aiming to build a federal union and the PDF is an armed group trying to topple the dictatorship during the Spring Revolution.

CNI News

18 Jan 2023

Clashes broke out between the Shanni National Army and allied forces of the Kachin Independence Army and the People's Defence Forces in Kyaukse Village in Banmauk Township in Sagaing Region. Lt-Col Sai Aung Mein of the SNA told the CNI.

The clashes erupted between them from 2 pm to 5 pm on 16th January and tensions between them have escalated, he added.

He told the CNI, "It was learnt that four of the enemies were killed during the fighting and our troops did not suffer any casualties. Our troops have occupied a hill and an outpost. There are so many outposts near Kyaukse Village. I cannot pinpoint the outpost but it is one of the outposts they seized from us last year.

The CNI contacted KIA spokesperson Col Naw Bu, who did not answer the phone.

Troops of the KIA.

It was learnt that fighting broke out in remote Kyaukse Village at the border of Homalin and Banmauk townships, a local resident told the CNI.

He said, " Although the village is famous because a creek is blocked by rock mountains, forming a dam, it is very difficult to access. There is a large monastery but there are only a few households in the village. Its nearest village is Magyigone Village but it takes a long time to travel to the village."
Armed clashes broke out between the SNA and a 200-strong joint force of the KIA and PDFs on 20th August, 2022, when the latter attacked the former. Fighting continued until 23 August the same year.

The two sides fought against each other when the KIA-allied forces launched attacks on an SNA outpost near Hsezin Village in Hpakant Township on 8th August, 2022.

The joint forces of the KIA and the PDF are systematically creating division between the SNA and local residents, Lt-Col Sai Aung Mein said.

Troops of the PDFs.

He said, "The KIA and the PDF want to control the entire Banmauk area and infiltrate Homalin Township. Although they said they are allied forces of the KIA and the PDF, they are forcefully recruiting local residents into the PDFs and forcing them to fight against us. So, we are forced with our own local residents. We don't want to fight our own local residents. They are systematically creating division among us by driving a wedge among us. It is a war that has driven a wedge among our own national races.

The SNA is trying to establishing Shanni State in Mawlike District, Kalay District, Hkamti District, Katha District and Tamu District in Sagaing Region and Bhamo District, Myitkyina District, Mohnyin District and Mokaung District in Kachin State.

The KIA is an ethnic armed group aiming to build a federal union and the PDF is an armed group trying to topple the dictatorship during the Spring Revolution.

CNI News

18 Jan 2023

As the Malaysian government has not announced the exact date for issuance of work permits for foreign workers although it said it would do so, Myanmar nationals who intend to apply for the work permits should not make advance remittances to agents, Myanmar communities in Malaysia told the CNI.

As some agents have asked for money from work permit applicants after the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the country would issue work permits for foreigners, he had to warn against advance remittances for permit application, U Babu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar workers in Malaysia, told the CNI.

Detained migrant workers in Malaysia.

He said, "It is too early to pay agent fees. I want to urge them to wait until after the Chinese New Year or until February. We will have to wait and see the situation. Work permit applicants are required to carefully choose agents after considering whether they can be trusted or not because agent fees are very high and it is difficult to earn money these days. So, they are required to choose agents carefully because a lot of people have been cheated of their money. There are fake work permits. Therefore, applicants are required to wait and see the situation."

Moreover, there are some Myanmar workers who applied for work permits through agents by paying large sums of agent fees but haven't still received the documents until now.

If employers help their workers to apply for work permits, it costs a worker only 5,000 Ringgit (MMK 2.4 million) but workers have to pay agent fees from 8,000 Ringgit to 15,000 Ringgit if they apply for the documents through agents. In addition, workers who overstay their visas are liable to pay fines.

As a worker earns only 1,500 Ringgit a month, the costs for the permits is too high and there are many workers who did not apply for the documents during previous years.

Agents should not charge workers exorbitant fees from their fellow compatriots, Director General U Nyi Nyi Lwin of the Centre for Arakan Refugees told the CNI.

Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

He said, "A worker earns only 1,500 Ringgit a month or about 18,000 Ringgit a year. If they have to pay 10,000 Ringgit for agent fee, how will he pay rents, for food and healthcare services and transportation charges. It doesn't make sense. The Malaysian government should also know this. Even when the government collected 3,500 Ringgit from workers for the permits previous years, their employers complained about the fees."

The new work permits will be issued under the Rekalibrasi RTK Program adopted by the government and the permits will be issued annually by easing some restrictions.

Foreigner who intend to work in Malaysia can apply for the work permits if they have their passports and an employer who will hire them.

CNI News

17 Jan 2023

Among the workers sent to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries, most of them failed to get jobs or jobs described in the employment contracts while some of them were abandoned at roadsides.

Sending Myanmar workers to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries is a proper program carried out under precise terms and conditions of contracts which guarantee specific jobs for workers as soon as they arrive in Thailand.

Failures to provide jobs stated in the contracts are due to the negligence of the labour ministries of the two countries which fail to monitor overseas employment agencies that sent the workers without any accountability and the MOU program might stall if no action is taken against the agencies that fail to abide by rules and regulations, Advisor U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI.

Myanmar workers waiting to go to Thailand under the MOU program between the two governments.

He said, "Employment contracts under the MOU are written in three languages including Thai, Myanmar and English. Rights of workers under Thai laws are guaranteed in the contracts and every provision of the contracts are precisely stipulated. Then, employers, agencies, workers and a director from the labour ministry are required to signed the contracts. The Ministry of Labour is responsible for monitoring overseas employment agencies, which are also required to register with the ministry. So, the ministry is responsible to take action against agencies. Under the law, workers who go to Thailand under the MOU must not be jobless. Addresses, names of companies and products to be manufactured are precisely stated in the contracts. If the ministries in the two countries enforce the terms and conditions of the contracts, the system will not stall."

If labour ministries from Thailand and Myanmar adopted sound policies and laws to enforce the terms and conditions of employment contracts, workers who were sent under the MOU would not face such issues, according to labour activists for Myanmar workers in Thailand.

Detained Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.

As workers who were sent under the MOU between the two countries were not employed in accordance with terms and conditions of their employment contracts, they could be assumed as victims of human trafficking, Labour activist Ko Thar Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar workers in Thailand, told the CNI.

He said, "The rule of law has been jeopardized in Myanmar and they are trafficking migrant workers into Thailand under the MOU. As authorities do not take action against the agencies, they are licensed to traffic migrant workers. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, the system of sending workers to Thailand under the MOU was much better because the Ministry of Labour monitored the agencies responsibly. I think effective action should be taken against the agencies."

If the Ministry of Labour has not been able to take action against all agencies that violate rules and regulations, it should take action against one of them as a pilot scheme, labour activists in Thailand said.

Myanmar migrants in front of the Myanmar embassy in Thailand.

Although workers are sent to Thailand under the MOU program, many of them continue to sneak into Thailand illegally as it is too expensive to go to Thailand under the MOU.

U Aung Kyaw of the MWRN said, "Majority of workers are not interested in the MOU program even before the problems arose. Most Myanmar workers do not study the situation thoroughly. They will think they won't get jobs even after going to Thailand under the MOU system by paying a large sum of money and will see the program negatively. They will go to Thailand illegally through fraudster agents. When we are trying to educate them about the advantages of the MOU program, such undesirable problems will force them to choose illegally sneaking into Thailand and the situation will be getting worse."

The program to send Myanmar workers to Thailand was suspended for about three years due to COVID-19 and it has resumed since May 2022.

During the resumption of the program, there were only a few problems like having to work in jobs that are not stated in the employment contracts. but the problems are getting worse and worse recently.