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.

CNI News

17 Jan 2023

There are limited chances for negotiations with the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army for the release of party members, Chairman Dr Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Party told the CNI.

He said that the ULA/AA has detained central committee members U Kyaw Lwin and U Kyaw Zaw Oo of the AFP.

He told the CNI, "As it is impossible to hold negotiations with the AA, I have asked for the help of some mediators because the AA is still an illegal organization and political parties are not allowed to deal directly with the AA. There are restrictions. We have told mediators to help us. We cannot hold direct talks with the AA because we might be charged under section 17 (1) and (2) of the Unlawful Organizations Act.

A road junction in Rakhine State.

The AA has already acknowledged that they have detained U Kyaw Zaw Oo but hasn't said anything about U Kyaw Lwin.

He added that he had asked for the help of the Communist Party of China through the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar for the release of the party officials as it was impossible for him to hold direct talks with the AA.

He said, "As China is interested in the peace process in Myanmar, I raised the issue with them. As the Chinese embassy asked us why our party members are being detained by the AA, I asked for their help."

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

The AA did not answer the phone call requesting comments for the arrests of the members of the AFP.

Vice Chairman U Kyaw Zaw Oo of the AFP was detained on 2nd November, 2022 and U Kyaw Lwin was arrested on 4th October the same year.

Similarly, the AA detained central committee member Khaing Mya Thar of the Arakan Liberation Army in November, 2022.

Currently, the ULA/AA has been enjoying the support of the local residents and fighting against the military junta.

Two-year old ceasefire between the AA and military junta collapsed last August and fighting resumed.

Then, they struck a ceasefire deal on humanitarian grounds recently.

After the ceasefire deal has been reached, the AA has been operating in northern Rakhine State and has established administrative and judicial mechanisms.

CNI News

15 Jan 2023

Although Myanmar has raw materials and land, the country cannot produce finished goods because of the lack of precise and sound policies, according to businessmen.

Production of finished goods from raw materials requires sound and stable economic policies that can attract foreign investment, Entrepreneur U Aung Pyae Sone told the CNI.

He said, "Our country has not been able to produce finished goods from raw materials not because of the lack of technicians, investment and machines but because of the lack of sound economic policies. If we had sound policies, technicians and investment from around the world can come to us. When they come, they will bring machines. All these three are interconnected. We have always pointed out the lack of sound policies. When a government took office,it adopted policies and rules. Laws are already in place. When a new government took office, it abolished policies and rules adopted by the previous government and replaced them with new ones. No technicians and investment will come to Myanmar. So, if we have sound economic policies for 30 or 50 years that will be implemented by any governments that take office, we will be able to produce finished goods.

Due to government policy changes, the flow of foreign investment to most auto companies and the manufacturing sector has come to a halt, he added.

A tissue factory. (GETTY IMAGES)

In order to produce finished goods, it is necessary to allow scholars to work on their own initiatives and to form organizations to nurture scholars who can give advice on government policies by offering international scholarships, Myanmar economic observers pointed out.

Although there are many scholars in Myanmar, they are not allowed to work on their own initiatives and it is difficult to produce finished goods, an economist told the CNI.

He said, "During the term of former president U Thein Sein, the government established the Myanmar Development Institute (MDI) and offered international master's degree courses for researchers. The institute gave advice on government policies. Now, the institute has almost been ruined. There are bodies which give advice on government economic policies like the Korea Development Institute in Korea and Trade & Economic in Japan. They carry out in-depth research. We need to establish such institutions. No government ministries can prevent them from criticizing government policies and they have a say over government policies. In Myanmar, scholars cannot give advice on government policies because they might be sacked. We need to establish an institute like the MDI with scholars."

An auto factory. (GETTY IMAGES)

Some local businessmen try to produce finished goods but their attempts have been delayed by the lack of market, technical assistance and authority, according to entrepreneurs.

Although Myanmar is an agricultural country, it has to export agricultural products as raw materials as it has not been able to produce finished goods. If the country could produce finished goods, the market for Myanmar products would be expanded and it would be beneficial for farmers.

Economists said that electricity supply plays an important role in production of finished goods.

CNI News

15 Jan 2023

More armed groups have popped up after Myanmar adopted democratic rule, Director U Thein Tun Oo of the Strategic Studies told the CNI.

From the national security point of view, armed groups were advancing their opportunities under the excuse of peace and human rights.

U Thein Tun Oo told the CNI, " I don't want to say this but I will have to. Armed groups have mushroomed when our country adopted democratic rule. They have their own political objectives. In theory, they are non-state actors. It they forcefully implement their political objectives, military means will follow."

As political issues cannot be resolved through political means, armed struggle has been opted, Chairman Khun Myint Tun of Pa-O National Federal Council told the CNI.

PDF troops under the command of the NUG.

Khun Myint Tun told the CNI, "The revolutions in our country erupted when democracy was suppressed. As political issues could not be resolved through political means, the people have to defend themselves. This is how the Spring Revolution has evolved. And the military has killed and tortured the people and forced them to defend themselves. This is the root cause of the revolution in our country."  

He added that the root cause of the revolution is the military dictatorship, which has been oppressing the people.

The number of armed organizations has increased as the people cannot enjoy democratic rights, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

  Armed organizations holding peace talks with the junta

He said, "The number of armed groups has increased because the people cannot enjoy democratic rights. During the tenure of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the government held peace talks with the armed groups. However, after the military coup, the number of armed groups has significantly increased. After the illegal coup, the number of PDFs has increased by hundreds with hundreds of thousands of troops in addition to ethnic armed organizations already active in the country.

Hundreds of armed groups have emerged in the entire country due to the political climate after 1st February, 2021.

CNI News

14 Jan 2023

The prices of coffee from Myanmar have risen from three to four folds thanks to demand from the local market and Thailand, according to coffee growers in Myanmar.

The prices of green coffee have risen from MMK 800 per viss last year to MMK 3,800 per viss this year, Chairman U Win Aung Kyaw of coffee farmers' group in Ywangan told the CNI.

He said, "Coffee prices have risen in the domestic market. The foreign demand for coffee grew last year when coffee plantations in Brazil were damaged by snow and coffee from Laos and Cambodia was imported by China. So, Thailand had to import coffee from Myanmar and green coffee prices have risen to MMK 3,800 per viss."

Drying coffee beans.

Prices of green coffee have risen three-fold to MMK 3,800 per viss while that of coffee seed have risen two-fold to MMK 6,500 per viss.

Higher prices of coffee are beneficial for farmers but it is also necessary to expand coffee cultivation to maintain the market share of Myanmar coffee abroad, Founder of Sithar Coffee U Min Hlaing told the CNI.

He said, "Higher prices of coffee are beneficial for farmers. However, we need to maintain the momentum and it is expensive for local consumers. So, we need to expand coffee cultivation."

Myanmar has a total coffee cultivation acreage of more than 50,000 acres and coffee beans are harvested on 30,000 acres, producing 8,611 tons of coffee, according to a survey conducted by the Land Records Department.

Quality inspection of coffee beans.

Under the current political climate, coffee cannot be harvested in Chin State, Kayah State and some other places due to instabilities and transportation problems, U Win Aung Kyaw told the CNI.

He said, "The situation in Shan State (South) is peaceful and farmers have harvested coffee there. However, farmers in Chin and Kayah states cannot harvest their coffee beans while harvested beans cannot be transported to other regions due to political climates. Coffee production in the states amounts to one-fourths of that of the Shan State (North and South)."

Coffee is mainly grown in Shan State (North and South), Mandalay Region, Chin State, Kachin State, Kayah State and Karen State and coffee beans are harvested in December, January and February.

CNI News

14 Jan 2023

The Malaysian government is planning to issue stay and work permits to foreign workers including those in Myanmar, according to Maynmar nationals in Malaysia.

However, it is not clear whether the government will issue the permits to undocumented migrants who are in Malaysia.

Anyone who has a passport and an employer can apply stay and work permits, U Babu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar nationals in Malaysia, told the CNI.

Myanmar workers in Malaysia waiting to show their documents.

He said, "The government has eased a lot of restrictions. However, it is not still clear whether the government will allow illegal migrants and those who have been reported for violations. The priority will be given to those who hold visit visas and officially come to Malaysia. Last year, the government issued work and stay permits to foreign workers, foreigners who had overstayed their visas and workers whose work permits expired. However, they did not issue work permits to foreign workers who did not work in permitted factories and moved to other jobs. When their employers reported such cases to authorities, the government blacklisted them and did not issue work permits to them. Moreover, migrants who sneaked into Malaysia and managed to get passports were not permitted to apply for the permits. This is because the immigration did not have their fingerprints when they entered Malaysia.
Permit applicants are required to submit the identity of their employers and the permits can be easily issued if employers applied them on behalf of their workers. Employers who are too busy to do so can also apply for permits through agents.

However, some workers who applied for the permits through agents last year still haven't received their permits, according to Myanmar nationals in Malaysia.

Currently, permit applications can be submitted but it is not still clear when the permits will be issued and illegal migrants should apply for the permits as authorities have rounded them up, Ma Nyo, a resident in Malaysia, told the CNI.

Detained migrant workers.

She said, "Issuing permits for foreign workers bodes well for Myanmar nationals here. Everyone has been looking forward to it. All of them have passports and they are very happy. If stay and work permits are issued for them, employers will offer jobs for them. Myanamr nationals here are looking forward to it. Authorities have been rounding up illegal workers. If migrant workers have work permits, they will not be arrested. Overstaying migrant workers have to live in fear of arrests day or night."

Those who have received stay and work permits can stay or work at complete freedom without worrying about arrests.

Those who have overstayed their visas will have to pay fines as well as fees for new work and stay permits but it is not still clear how much it will cost to apply for the permits.

As the exact date for issuance of the permits has not been announced, migrant workers should be cautious about fraudsters and all Myanmar nationals in Malaysia who have passports should apply for the permits, said Myanmar nationals in Malaysia.

CNI News

14 Jan 2023

The Shanni National Army has been the victim of intentional defamation by groups which have been trying to tarnish the image of the SNA, Spokesperson Lt-Gen Sai Aung Mein of the SNA told the CNI.

It is completely wrong that the SNA detained about 100 villagers from Namtnan Village in Homalin Township and the false news has been spread by the groups in cooperation with each other.

He told the CNI, "It was just an intentional effort to tarnish the image of the SNA by other groups. The villagers are our people and members of our ethnic group working for their living in our region. We will never detain such people. It is impossible to detain about 100 people. It is just an intentional attempt to tarnish the image of our organization."

A filling station in Namtnan Village.

An armed conflict erupted between the SNA and PDFs based in Homalin on 5th January.

The CNI is still trying to request comments about the conflict from the PDFs based in Homalin.

A Namtnan village resident told the CNI that it was not true that the SNA detained about 100 villagers and fighting broke out because the PDFs attacked the SNA while the latter was asking about 100 shopkeepers for information.

He said, "While about 100 local residents who are shopkeepers were taken for questioning, the fighting erupted because the PDF attacked the SNA. Everyone had to flee."

Troops of HPDF-124 in Homalin Township.

An SNA commander told the CNI that his troops will fight against any organization that bullies the people of the ethnic Shanni.

He said, "We will not allow armed bullying of any organizations in places where Shanni people have been living for eons. It is very simple. We are not an ethnic group that has settled in the place recently. We will ward off anyone who bully our people. We will ward off anyone who exploits our state. Our army has been founded to protect our people. We are determined to protect our people."

The SNA is active in Hkamti, Homalin, Phaungpyin, Pinlabu, Wuntho, Bamauk in Sagaing Region, at the Indo-Myanmar border and Mohyin and Mokaung in Kachin State.

The SNA is trying to establish Shanni State by combining Mawlike District, Kalay District, Hkamti District, Katha District in Sagaing Region and Bhamo District, Myitkyina District, Mohyin District and Mokaung in Kachin State.

CNI News

13 Jan 2023

Expired passports for job of Myanmar workers will be renewed at their factories in Thailand, according to the Myanmar embassy Bangkok.

Two teams will be sent to factories with 1,000 Myanmar workers and above whose PJs have expired.

The program is very convenient for Myanmar migrant workers, Consultant U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI.

He said, "The embassy should have done so for a long time. I think it is too late because they have wasted many months. There are hundreds of thousands of migrant workers whose passports have expired. Authorities should have taken such measures a long time ago in cooperation with the labour ministry of Thailand. I don't want to talk about all 77 provinces in Thailand. Mahachai, where most Myanmar migrants work, there are 7000 factories. How can the teams go to factories in the entire country? I think it is too late."

A large crowd queued to renew their passports.

Renewals of passports for jobs are processed with four kiosks in the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok and one kiosk at the Consulate General at Chiang Mai.

As the embassy has received two new kiosks, two teams will be sent to factories to renew passports of workers, according to the statement of the embassy.

Factories and workshops with 1,000 Myanmar workers whose passports expired in 2022 and are expiring in 2023 are required to submit lists of workers to the counselor officer by 20th January.

As authorities will draw lots to decide the factories to be served first, it is important that they are free from bias, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi for Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand told the CNI.

A fishery product processing site in Thailand.

He said, "It is important to be fair and correct. Serving factories that pay bribe first must be prevented. There are advantages as well as disadvantages in any system. Workers don't have to hire agents and pay agent fees as they are renewing their passports at factories. They don't have to spend a long time renewing their passports. They will have to pay fees that are set by authorities. However, we are not sure what will actually happen on the ground."

Plans are underway to renew passports for workers in factories with less than 1,000 workers in the future, according to the announcement of the embassy.

Labour activists said that they welcomed the move by the embassy but it is necessary for authorities to adopt a precise policy without frequently changing one policy after another.