CNI News

1 January 2022

The public has been urged to file reports about illegal oversea employment agencies which are running operations in their wards and buildings to respective township offices of the Department of Labour, the Nrue News Information Team of the SAC told the CNI.

As illegal overseas employment agencies are operating in residential quarters, buildings and apartments are overcrowded and the issues have caused security concerns among the people living near them.

The official made the remarks when the CNI asked the department how to file reports about illegal overseas employment agencies and how it would take action against them.

The True News Information Team of the SAC responded, "The Ministry of Labour can investigate the cases together with other relevant authorities when they have received information about them. The public can file reports about them at relevant township labour offices."

An apartment in Yangon and detained illegal migrant workers in Thailand.

Illegal overseas employment agencies operate in residential quarters without any licenses and allow migrant workers to stay in their apartments before sending them to Thailand from Yangon by car. As a result, residential quarters are overcrowded with strangers and the issues have caused security concerns among the people, said a person who lives in an apartment building in Ward-13 in South Okkalapa Township. He said an overseas employment agency was operating in one of the apartments in his building.

He said, "An overseas employment agency is operating in the building I live in. It doesn't have a company signboard. We don't know whether it is an official or illegal agency because it is not transparent. The agency allows migrant workers to stay in the apartment and send them to Thailand and Malaysia. Some of them stay there almost a week. We don't know who they are. Crimes are rampant in Yangon. As they go outside and come back very frequently, we have to leave the main entrance door unlocked. Unscrupulous people can break into apartments when owners go to work. Who is responsible for such incidents, the landlord or the agency? If they are sending workers abroad illegally, they are trafficking in humans. Authorities should take action against them. People from the building should file reports about them to authorities. I am filing reports about them."

Myanmar workers sent to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries.

As a large number of people in Myanmar are trying to work abroad, overseas employment agencies and agents are mushrooming elsewhere.

As some agencies do not have company signboards, it is difficult for the public to know whether they are official agencies or illegal businesses.

People in Myanmar are working abroad through official agencies or illegal agencies and most of them go to Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and Dubai.

As of last March, there are 324 overseas employment agencies that are registered with relevant authorities.

Action can be taken against illegal agents under the Anti- Trafficking in Person Law, Advocate U Aung Kyaw told the CNI.

"Trafficking in Persons" means recruitment, transportation, transfer, sa!e, purchase, lending, hiring, harbouring or receipt of persons after committing any of the following acts for the purpose of exploitation of a person with or without his consent such as ' threat, use of force or other form of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of position taking advantage of the vulnerability of a person, giving or receiving of money or benefit to obtain the consent of the person having control over another person.

CNI News

31 Dec 2022

The number of Myanmar condo-apartments buyers and tenants have increased significantly in Thailand during recent months and most of them buy apartments worth around MMK 200 million, according to property agents and entrepreneurs in Thailand.

As most of them are moving to Thailand for the education of their children, condominium apartments near schools are sold out very quickly.

An official from Bangkok-Myanmar Property and Life Style told the CNI, "Most of them bought apartments worth MMK 200 million. Some Myanmar nationals bought high end apartments. Some of them bought property for investment. As foreigners buy property in Thailand, developers there launch promotion for their property and authorities grant elite visas for ten years stay in Thailand. Clinics and hospitals in Thailand offer gift vouchers to them. So, Myanmar nationals buy condo-apartments in Thailand. They bought apartments near banks, railway stations and transportation hubs in Sukhumvit in Bangkok. Property prices in Bangkok are rising but the demand for property of Myanmar nationals is still growing because they have many opportunities there. As the Kyat is depreciating against US dollars, property prices in Thailand have doubled in the Kyat.

Promotion of condominium sales in Thailand.

Although Thailand has permitted foreigners to purchase condominium apartments only, those who invest in Thai companies are allowed to buy other types of property.

Some Myanmar nationals buy property in Thailand in the name of Thai nationals.

Most Myanmar nationals are buying property in Bangkok, Mae Sot and Chiang Mai and open restaurants and clubs, a Myanmar entrepreneur in Thailand told the CNI.

He said, "Investment from Myanmar has increased significantly. Last week, two high profile businessmen came to Thailand to open clubs and bars and bought condominium apartments. Recently, a large number of Myanmar nationals bought condominium apartments in Thailand. There is an increasing number of Myanmar investors in Thailand. The other day, a cosmetic entrepreneur contacted me to move his business to Thailand. Myanmar nationals are opening buffet restaurants. Many people from the Myanmar film industry moved to Thailand."

Besides apartment buyers, the number of Myanmar tenants has also increased significantly, according to Bangkok-Myanmar Property and Life Style.

The prices of condominium apartments start from MMK 200 million and rental fees for them start from Baht 4,000 ( MMK 400,000) per month, according to an official from the Bangkok-Myanmar Property and Life Style.

Promotion of condominium sales in Thailand.

He added," Apartments available at Baht 4,000 rental fees are very small and are not furnished. We do not offer services for such apartments. We offer services for apartments with two or three bedrooms available at about Baht 15,000. Some of them are available at Baht 90,000 per month. Apartment rental fees vary from place to place. Normally, it is necessary to rent the apartments for one year. If tennants want to rent for only three month, they will have to pay more deposits. It is negotiable here."

Among the foreigners who bought property in Thailand included not only Myanmar nationals but also Chinese and citizens from western countries.

Myanmar passport holders are required to transfer money from banks in Myanmar but transferring a large sum of cash has been prohibited in Myanmar and developers have to choose other arrangements available.

Myanmar nationals bought 188 apartments totally worth Baht 1.34 billion in 2022 alone, according to the Thai Enquirer and market observers.

CNI News

31 Dec 2022

In compiling voters rolls for the general election in some village tracts in Namkham in Shan State (North), people from non-Bamar ethnic groups have been registered as Bamar, according to local residents.

It is not fair to list the Shan, Palaung, Kachin and other ethnic peoples as Bamar, local residents told the CNI.

A local resident told the CNI, "In our Namhkam Township, administrators and immigration officers are compiling voting rolls in village tracts and registering members of other ethnic groups as Bamar. So, voting rolls are not correct. They are registering people of the Shan, Kachin and Palaung and other ethnic groups as Bamar. Authorities are likely to do the same in other townships. It is unfair to change the identity of other ethnic groups."

Immigration officers issue NRCs to the public.

Less than ten people in each village of the Shan and Palaung were registered according to their true ethnic identity, he added.

However, a resident of Lwehom Village told the CNI that authorities had admitted their mistakes and corrected the voting rolls.

He told the CNI, "They admitted their mistakes and said they have corrected them. We reported the issue to them yesterday. They said it was the mistake of computer operators and promised to correct the lists."

An ethnic leader said some immigration officers had entered all ethnic peoples as Bamar during the terms of successive governments because they thought it was too busy for them.

The Union Election Commission announced that it would hold a new general election in August, 2023.

Then, authorities have compiled voting rolls and issued national registration cards to those who do not have or lost the NRCs.

CNI News

31 Dec 2022

Narly one month after the ceasefire in Rakhine State, authorities have green-lighted transportation of medical supplies to the western state, according to the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

After the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army reached a ceasefire deal on 26th November, roads and waterways were reopened but the transportation of important medical supplies to Rakhine State was prohibited.

However, there are some restrictions and permit applications will not be approved as quickly as before, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of the RSCCI told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "At the moment, the state government has permitted transportation. The started approving the permit applications about a week ago. However, they do not approve the permits immediately. It takes time to approve the permits as they have a large number of applications submitted previously. It takes four to five days to get permits. Checkpoints will allow transportation of medical supplies to Rakhine State if merchants can submit the permits of the border and security minister of the state government."

A pharmacy.

The prices of medicines, which have doubled at present, are likely to fall back soon, according to merchants in the state.

Residents have run out of some medicines and the prices of medicines for children have risen higher than those for adults, according to a Rakhine resident.

He told the CNI, "The current problem in Rakhine State is the shortages of medicines for children. As most medicines for children are liquid, they are transported not only by vehicles but also by sea. However, transportation of children's medicines by sea is still prohibited and it is a problem. Medicines for children which are available at MMK 2,000 per bottle in Yangon are sold at MMK 7,000 here. To put it simply, we feel that it is unfair."

Due to the medicine ban in Rakhine State, children and pregnant women there failed to get vaccines while patients with chronic diseases have to buy their medicines at skyrocketed prices. Hospitals and clinics have run out of antibiotics and some other medicines, according to residents.

As medicines expire after a certain period, it is necessary for authorities to approve transportation permits for medicine as soon as possible, according to medicine merchants, companies and residents.

CNI News

29 Dec 2022

As Malaysian ringgits have depreciated due to inflation, Myanmar migrants working there should not change jobs at present, Myanmar communities in Malaysia told the CNI.

As Malaysia is likely to face labour shortages if the new government fails to tackle the depreciation problem, Myanmar workers have been advised not to change jobs, U Babu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar workers in Malaysia, told the CNI.

He told CNI, "When the new prime minister took office, the ringgit appreciated against US$ slightly. However, after he formed the new government, the currency has depreciated significantly. There may be speculation because some people do not like some cabinet members. It this continues, it does not bode well in the long run. So, Myanmar workers who came to Malaysia officially based on their skills should stay at their factories. Illegal workers change jobs frequently if they get higher salaries and they are sometimes jobless. So, they should not change jobs at the moment because no one knows what will happen. In addition, authorities are making arrests of illegal migrants. They should work in their jobs by spending less money at the moment."

 Myanmar workers in a saw mill in Malaysia.

If the ringgit continues to depreciate in the long terms, some businesses are likely to halt their operations and to sack their current workers to hire cheaper new workers, according to Myanmar communities in Malaysia.

Currently, the new Malaysian government has failed to implement their campaign promises as it took office only one month ago, they added.

Secretary General U Chit Kaung of the Assistance Association for Myanmar Workers told the CNI that it was necessary to closely watch the new government as it has taken office for only one month.

He said, "It is a period when a new government has just taken office. It will have to take at least 6 months or one year to adopt new policies. However, as number two of the new government was a former home minister and many others are experienced politicians, they will be able to maintain stability. Myanmar workers should work hard at their jobs. In Malaysia, policies change when the new government takes office. After the operations to arrest illegal migrants, governments tend to hire new workers from other countries or issue stay and work permits to illegal migrants to work in Malaysia."

Myanmar workers at a construction site in Malaysia.

When the ringgit has depreciated, commodity prices tend to rise but prices in Malaysia have not increased under the new government.

Myanmar communities in Malaysia have urged Myanmar workers not to change jobs and save their salaries.

They also urged illegal migrants to be cautious when they go out as the government is launching operations.

CNI News

29 Dec 2022

As the number of guests in Chaungtha and Ngwe Saung beaches in Ayeyarwady Region, the hotel industry has resumed 95 its operations, according to the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.

Hotels and guesthouses have been almost fully booked for the new year holidays there.

So far, 29 out of 33 hotels and guesthouses there have been reopened and they have been almost fully booked, an official from the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (Chaungtha Branch) told the CNI.

Scenes of a beach.

He told the CNI, "The hotel industry has returned to normal. Beaches are crowded with holiday makers. There are 33 hotels and guesthouses in Chaungtha. A total of 29 out of 33 of them have reopened after the third wave of COVID-19. The remaining four have not reopened since their closures during the first outbreak of COVID-19. So, 95 percent of the industry has resumed their operations."

During one month until 27th December, 32,192 domestic travellers and 224 foreign tourists visited Chaungtha beach.

In Ayeyarwady Region, there are 35 hotels in Ngwe Saung and 39 hotels in Chaungtha and Shwe Thaungyan. Some hotels that were closed during the pandemic are still under renovation, according to hoteliers in Chaungtha.

Although the hotel industry in Chaungtha and Ngwe Saung, only 52 hotels in beaches in Rakhine State have resumed their services, Director U Tin Tun Aung of the Rakhine State Directorate of Hotels and Tourism told the CNI.

Hotels near a beach.

He said, "Fifty-two out of 65 hotels in Thandwe have reopened. In the entire Rakhine State there are 102 hotels but only 82 of them have reopened. Some people are still afraid to travel. Moreover, they have to take flights to get to Rakhine State. We will receive as many guests as during the Thadingyut but fewer travellers than Thingyan will come to Rakhine State because the holiday is short.

As the hotel industry that was closed in the previous two years due to COVID-19 and the political crises has resumed, nearly 500 people have received jobs.

CNI News

29 Dec 2022

This morning, a group of people staged a protest in front of the US embassy in Bahan Township, Yangon Region, holding vinyl placards that said 'The United States is a complete shit; Mind Your Own Business.'

CNI News

29 Dec 2022

Five ethnic armed organizations that are signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement started talks with the National Unity and Peace-making Negotiation Committee on 27th December.

The talks were held at the hall of the NSPNC in Nay Pyi Taw.

The five EAO leaders included Patron Col Khun Okkar of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization, Vice Chairperson Daw Saw Mya Yarzar Lin of the Arakan Liberation Party, Chief-of-Staff Saw Steel of the Democratic Karen Democratic Benevolent Army, Vice Chairperson Dr Naw Kapaw Htoo of the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army-Peace Council and Vice Chairman Kyar Phu of the Larhu Democratic Union.

They discussed amending the 2008 constitution.

The talks continued on 28th December.

CNI News

28 Dec 2022

With 26 out of 58 FDI projects in Myanmar in 2022, China invested in the largest number of the projects in the country, according to statistics released by the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration of Myanmar.

However, China's investment this year amounted to US$ 94 million while Singapore, which implemented only 14 projects in Myanmar, invested more than US$ one billion in total.

Compared with previous years, FDI in Myanmar dropped and Myanmar's FDI is unlikely to increase in the coming year as the global economy is predicted to fall in 2023, an economist who requested anonymity told the CNI.

 The office of the Directorate of Foreign Investment and Company Administration.

He said, "In the past, there were US dollar billions and billions of FDI every year. It can be said that Myanmar's FDI dropped significantly. Not all investment projects were not new. There were some projects that increased their investment capitals. Myanmar may not be the only country that suffered a decrease in FDI as it is predicted that the global economy will fall and FDI will drop in 2023. With political instabilities, the situation in Myanmar is likely to get worse."

Before the political changes in the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Myanmar secured FDI worth US$ 4.88 billion.

Myanmar received 26 projects from China, 14 projects from Singapore, 12 projects from Hongkong, two projects from South Korea and one each from China(Taipei), Japan and the UK, according to the directorate.

A garment factory.

In the past, companies with 1 percent of foreign investment were considered as foreign companies but now those with 35 percent of foreign investment are deemed as local companies.

Moreover, restrictions on imports of raw material and profit remittance have been eased.

Myanmar will be able to restore its foreign investment potential when political stability has been maintained, according to economists and businessmen.