CNI News

2 Dec 2022

The minimum wage will be raised only after economic growth of the country has been retained and whether to raise the minimum wage is still under discussion, Permanent Secretary U Nyunt Win of the Ministry of Labour told the CNI.

The permanent secretary made the remarks when he was asked about the comments made by the union minister at the work coordination meeting on 25 November that the ministry was taking measures to set the minimum wage for the entire country without distinguishing regions and types of job.

U Nyunt Win told the CNI, "We are still discussing whether to raise the minimum wage or not. The prime minister said that as raising wages depended on the economic growth of the country, efforts must be made for the economic growth of the country first and then such issues would be taken into consideration. So, we are just reviewing the issue as an office procedure and no significant steps have been taken."

A demonstration of workers calling for increased minimum wages. (Reuters)

As the daily minimum wage in neighbouring Thailand is set at about MMK 35,000, Myanmar should raise its minimum wage to MMK 10,000 or 15,000 per day due to rising commodity prices, labour activists told the CNI.

It is not reasonable to refuse to raise the minimum wage due to lack of economic growth, Executive Director U Htoo Chit of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "It is true that the political situation and economy of the country have not made any progress. However, it is a tradition to raise the minimum wage to cover the daily increasing cost of living. It is not sensible to refuse to increase the minimum wage of workers due to lack of progress in politics and the economy. If they want to contribute to the well-being of workers, increasing the minimum wage is not enough. Social security is very important. One can compare the compensations for the death of a worker at the worksite in Thailand and in Myanmar. There is a wide gap between compensations for death or disabity of workers in the two countries. So, they still need to go a long way to take proper steps for social security of workers by spending social security funds."

Factory workers in Yangon.

The minimum wage in Myanmar was increased from MMK 3,600 to MMK 4,800 per day (8 hours) in 2018 due to labour strikes and demands of the federation of trade unions.

Labour activists demanded to increase the minimum wage to MMK 8,000 but authorities set it at MMK 4,800, Ma Myo Myo Aye of the Solidarity Trade Union of Myanmar told the CNI.

She told the CNI, "I have participated in the minimum wage campaign since the minimum wage was set for the first time in Myanmar. The minimum must be reviewed every two years and raised based on commodity prices and the political situation. It took more than two years when the minimum wage was set for the second time. It must be raised in 2017 but the then president increased it in May, 2018. Authorities failed to raise it in 2020. We cannot expect a significant rise in the minimum wage. Some employers may not agree to raise the minimum wage significantly. So, authorities will raise only a small amount that is acceptable for employers. At the same time, trade unions are not very strong at present because they are focusing on the revolution and do not talk much about the minimum wage. So, I don't think authorities will raise it significantly."

Although it is stipulated in section 5 (J) that the minimum wage must be reviewed every two year, it has been four years since it was reviewed and raised.

CNI News

1 Dec 2022

Internally displaced persons in Kayah (Karenni) State are running out of foodstuffs and consumer products for women, an IDP woman told the CNI.

As armed clashes have broken out in Kayah (Karenni) State, there are many IDPs including pregnant women, she added.

She said, "There are many women among the IDPs. Many of them are pregnant while others have young children. There are shortages of everything but foodstuffs, consumer products for women and medicines are desperately needed. If these items can be provided, they will be more convenient."

Rice donation for IDPs in Karenni State. (Network for Karenni IDPs)

The IDPs in Saungkaing Village between Moebye and Kontha have not been able to return home.

Although it is the harvesting season, they are not able to return home to harvest their crops.

Conflicts have broken out in Kayah State and the military is firing heavy weapon shells in the state, the spokesperson of the KNDF told the CNI.

A house damaged during fighting in Kayah State.

He said, "The military is firing heavy weapon shells in Kayah State almost every day. Whether there are armed clashes or not, they are firing heavy weapons. Some local residents were displaced while others are still living in their villages. The military sometimes fire heavy weapons into villages where residents are still living. However, we haven't heard any news about human casualties."

Since 1st February, 2021, fighting has broken out between the Myanmar military and the joint forces of the KNDF, the KA, Moebye PDF, Phekhon PDG and the KRU.

Since then, the number of IDPs has increased to 1,650,611 including 126,000 in Demoso Township, which has the largest IDP population in Kayah State, according to ISP Myanmar.

CNI News

1 Dec 2022

The sales of lottery tickets have risen by about 50,000 booklets at the 45th Aung Bar Lay Lottery, compared with its sales last month, according to Aung Bar Lay Lottery Branch.

The sales of the lottery have dropped to more than 200,000 booklets since the political changes in February, 2022 but the sales hit 390,000 booklets last month, according to lottery ticket sellers.

During the 44th lottery sales, only about 340,000 booklets were sold out.

As it is easier to claim the MMK 500 million prize in cash and new MMK 10,000 prizes were added for tickets that have the same alphabet and only one the same number as the winning numbers, the sales have risen, U Kyaw San, a lottery ticket agent, told the CNI.

He said, "The government has started offering the MMK 500 million prize in cash payout immediately. In the past, it was siad that cash prizes were not offered immediately. Now, it is easy to claim the prizes. Another factor is the offering new prizes for tickets that have the same alphabet and only one the same number as the winning number. As there are more winners of small prizes, they buy more tickets, increasing the sales by 50,000 booklets."

Lottery ticket buyers at a lottery shop.

Before the political changes occurred, the lottery sales hit 42 alphabets but it has fallen to only 10 alphabets at present.

As the lottery ticket sales have recovered, he hoped that the government would be able to offer MMK 1000 million prizes soon, a lottery agent told the CNI.

He said, "As the lottery tickets rose this month, the government will be able to offer more prizes. So, ticket sales will rise again and more people will buy more lottery tickets. I think the government will be able to offer MMK 1000 prizes soon."

Lottery tickets are mostly sold in Yangon Region, Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay Region, Rakhine State and Bago Region, according to lottery agents.

The grand prize of the lottery is MMK 500 million and more prizes will be offered on 1st December lottery opening, the lottery branch announced.

CNI News

1 Dec 2022

Undocumented migrants including Myanmar nationals were being arrested in Malaysia, where the new prime minister has yet to form a government, labour activists for Myanmar workers told the CNI.

Although the new prime minister has been appointed, immigration authorities have continued to arrest undocumented migrants in accordance with rules and regulations and the situation is likely to change after the new government has been formed, said labour activists.

U Babu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrants in Malaysia, told the CNI, "Authorities have not stopped arresting undocumented migrants. As hundreds of migrants were detained, prisons in border areas were crowded with them. The new prime minister cannot make any decision by him alone. So, authorities have continued to arrest undocumented migrants in accordance with previous rules and regulations. The situation is likely to change in about one month. They are detaining migrants everywhere including in factories and houses. The new prime minister has not formed the new government and has not appointed his ministers. It was said that he would appoint ministers this week but he did not say the exact date."

New Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Labour activists told the CNI that the situation might return to normal at the end of the year or early next year.

General Secretary U Chit Kaung of Assistance Association for Myanmar Migrants in Malaysia told the CNI that undocumented Myanmar migrants are required to be careful until that time.

He said, "As the elections have just completed and political changes are taking place in Malaysia, migrants should be careful about staying and working in Malaysia. Even Malaysians have to be careful about the political changes, we should take extra care not to make disturbance and go to certain places like train stations, busy town centres and bus stands. Those who live in migrant quarters should be more careful. Undocumented migrant workers should stay at their places secretly. If they were arrested, it would not be easy."

Illegal migrant workers arrested in Malaysia.

As the ringgit has appreciated after Anwar Ibrahim was appointed as the prime minister, it is beneficial for workers in Malaysia, U Babu Gyi added.

He said he hoped that the new prime minister would do his best for workers in Malaysia.

He told the CNI, "The new prime minister had to wait a long time to become prime minister. He has the support of many business people, especially Chinese businessmen. I think he will do his best for the businessmen and their workers."

As new governments issue certain certificates for migrants whenever they take office, labour activists and illegal migrants hope that Anwar Ibrahim will do the same for them.

CNI News

30 Nov 2022

The ASEAN special envoy would be urged not to interfere in internal affairs if he meets with the political parties group of the UPDJC during his upcoming trip, Chairman U Sai Aik Paung of the group told the CNI.

ASEAN special envoy Prak Sokhonn is paying his third visit to Myanmar within a few days.

Sai Aik Paung said, "If we can see him, I will tell him what I have in my mind. I will tell him, 'Don't interfere in our internal affairs. Our country is an independent and sovereign country. What do you think of us if we interfere in your internal affairs? Recently, I met with the French ambassador. I told him whether he liked if other countries interfere in the internal affairs of France. It is very simple. I will tell the special envoy that he has nothing to do with the internal affairs of our country. They don't need to teach our independent and sovereign country what to do and what not to do."

Prak Sokhonn meets political parties.

ASEAN Special Envoy Prak Sokhonn visited Myanmar in July, 2022 for the second time and discussed ways and means to resolve the political crisis in Myanmar with some political parties.

Union Solidarity and Development Party Spokesperson U Hla Thein told the CNI he learnt that the special envoy would visit Myanmar soon but did not know whether the special envoy would meet with political parties.

He said, "We have learnt that the special envoy will visit Myanmar bur we still don't know whether he will meet with our party or not. So, I can't say anything at the moment."

Prak Sokhonn pays a courtesy call on Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

During his second visit to Myanmar in July, 2022, he met with the SAC chairman, the foreign minister, the Peace Process Steering Team and some political parties.

However, he was not allowed to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The special envoy has called for a meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the SAC has promised to allow him to meet with her during the next visit, according to Prak Sokhonn.

CNI News

30 Nov 2022

Despite a ceasefire between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, medical supplies to Rakhine State, according to medicine traders in the state.

Although trade routes between northern and southern Rakhine have been reopened, medical supplie cannot be transported to Rakhine State as the trade routes between Yangon and Sittwe have not reopened yet, a medicine trader told the CNI.

He said, "Authorities have not announced the reopening of roads yet. Sittwe-Yangon Road has not reopened. Roads and waterways between Buthidaung and Maungdaw have been reopened. I think they will reopen routes for themselves. Medical supplies have been prohibited even before the road blockades. It was said that they had reopened routes. We still can't transport medicines from Yangon. All medicines are still prohibited. Some people have to transport medicines hidden in other goods."

Although medicine traders have applied for medicine transportation permits from the Rakhine State Government through the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce, the regional government has not responded to the request. Chairman of the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce told the CNI that they would discuss the issue with the regional government after trade routes between Yangon and Sittwe have been reopened.

A medicine fair during the COVID-19 outbreak. (CNI)

He told the CNI, "We are desperately running out of medicines at the moment because roads are closed. Medicines are transported to Rakhine State by roads. Even if roads are reopened, we will have to wait and see how authorities will handle the transportation of medicines. Only after roads have been reopened will we discuss the issues with authorities. It was said that roads to Kyauktaw had been reopened but I am not sure of anything. What is certain is that no freight truck has arrived in Sittwe. We will be able to bring in medicines to Sittwe only after roads have been reopened."

Medical supplies to Rakhine State have been prohibited since 20th September, 2022 and local residents have run out of medicines.

Although some medicines are still available, it is difficult to buy them, U Soe Naing, a Mrauk-U resident, told the CNI.

He said, "Medicines are not as available as before. However, prices have skyrocketed. It is difficult to buy some important medicines like those for heart disease. Waterways have been reopened but there are checkpoints along roads. Some routes are limitedly open, like allowing people to travel beginning from 10 am. It is still very difficult to travel to Sittwe."

After the military and the AA reached a ceasefire deal on 26th November, 2022, some roads and waterways were reopened on 27th November but there are still checkpoints along the routes and routes to Kyauktaw are open from 10 am to 5 pm, according to local residents.

CNI News

30 Nov 2022

If Russia refuses to accept Kyat payments and uses its Rubles in bilateral trade and investment, the Myanmar currency is unlikely to appreciate, economists told the CNI.

The economists were responding to the comment made by SAC Spokesperson Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun in a press conference. The spokesperson said that Kyat was likely to appreciate if it was linked to Ruble.
An economist who requested anonymity told the CNI, "Trade and investment between the two countries is just a fraction of the total representing only 2 to 3 percent. Although the two currencies are linked, Ruble will play the central role. Russia will make payments in Ruble for exports from Myanmar, which will have to import Russian products in Ruble. Russia will not accept Kyat payments because the Myanmar currency is not stable. Even if they accept, they will do so only a small amount. Will Russia accept Kyat payments for Russian products? So, this will have no impact. Let's say one Ruble is equal to MMK 100. However, the exchange rate will not always be stable because Kyat is depreciating constantly. So, they will have to pay more when they import Myanmar products. They can avoid such problems if they accept Ruble payments or US dollar payments. If they accept Kyat payments, they will suffer losses."

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing meets Russian President Putin.

Currently, Myanmar is using Yuan-Kyat payments and Baht-Kyat payments in trade with China and Thailand.

Moreover, it is implementing the Rupee-Kyat payment system in trade with India.

The appreciation and depreciation of the Myanmar currency depend not only on currency links but also on export volume of the country, Dr Soe Tun, a Myanmar entrepreneur, told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "The appreciation or depreciation of Kyat depends on export earnings. If Russia imports a large number of products including rice and corn from Myanmar, Kyat will appreciate against Ruble.

The main point is that they will accept Kyat if they can import products from Myanmar in Kyat. So, export volume is more important than currency links. First, the Ruble-Kyat payment system must be used.

 A commercial port.

Second, we must export a large number of products to Russia or other countries. The currency will be strong depending on such factors. Russia needs to import products from other countries although the trade between the two countries is only fractional. I think Myanmar's exports to Russia will increase gradually."

Compared with last year, the export volume of Myanmar has not increased this year, he added.

Myanmar has signed MOUs with Russia for cooperation in various sectors.

Moreover, it is also planning to use MIR cards, an electronic payment system used in Russia.

However, the economists agreed that direct cooperation with Russia is one of the achievements of Myanmar.

As Myanmar is harvesting crops currently, the exports of agricultural products will help appreciate Kyat, according to them.

CNI News

29 Nov 2022

Thailand has refused to renew expiring work permits and visas of Myanmar workers who have completed the six-year's term of the MOU, labour activists for Myanmar workers in Thailand told the CNI.

Thailand is likely to be forcing the workers to undergo the MOU process again, labour activists in Thailand told the CNI.

Adviser U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI, "The majority of the workers said that they were denied new work permits and visas even under the arrangements of their factories, workshops and companies. Whether Thai authorities will renew the work permits and visas for them depends on employers. If their employers continue to provide jobs for their workers, who have tried hard for their business success, they will do something. Under the terms of the MOU, workers are allowed to work in Thailand for two years. They can extend another two-year's term. However, they were allowed to work in Thailand even after they had worked for four years due to COVID-19. Some of them have worked in Thailand for five to six years. So, they will have to return to Myanmar and sign new job contracts. Now, cases of COVID-19 have significantly dropped. They will have to work again under the terms of the MOU. Therefore, the majority of the workers said that they denied renewals."

Thai authorities have not announced the requirement officially but the majority of the workers who have worked in Thailand for six years have been denied renewals of the work permits and visas, according to labour activists in Thailand.

Migrant workers entering Thailand. (Reuters)

Such workers are required to sign new contracts if they want to continue to work in current jobs, Labour In-charge U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

Those who denied work permits and visas failed to sign new contracts with their employers, he added.

"In the past, authorities extended their work permits and visas because rules and regulations were eased due to COVID-19. The best way for them is to sign new job contracts with their employers before going to renew the documents. Otherwise, they will be denied the renewals. Admission for new workers has expired. Some agents can help renew their permits and visas but it costs a lot of money. If they do not want to return to Myanmar, it is important for them to get an official document. Otherwise, they will have to be detained and deported to Myanmar in accordance with the law. Currently, immigration authorities are launching operations against transnational crime and scum syndicates. They are making arrests," U Min Oo told the CNI.

As there are a large number of Myanmar workers who have worked under the MOU for six years and it is difficult for them to go back to Myanmar, according to labour activists.

Currently, sending Myanmar workers under the MOU has been delayed because of security issues along the road and only a few of them have arrived in Thailand.

There will also be delays for workers who have to return to Myanmar to come back to Thailand again, according to labour activists.

Therefore, Thai employers should demand their government to issue official documents for their workers, they said.

CNI News

29 Nov 2022

As the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army have reached a ceasefire deal, it is necessary to reopen Yangon-Sittwe routes to resume the commodity flow to Rakhine State, U Than Naing, a merchant from Maungdaw, told the CNI.

Some waterways and roads, which were closed due to clashes between the military and the Arakan Army, have been reopened.

U Than Naing told the CNI, "Only when Yangon-Sittwe routes are reopened, can commodity flow to Rakhine State resume. This is the only major route to Rakhine State. When commodities flow into Sittwe, they can be transported to Buthidaung and Maungdaw. Routes in Buthidaung and Maungdaw have been reopened but Yangon-Sittwe routes are still closed. So, nothing will not improve."

Security forces search a highway vehicle.

Roads and waterways connecting northern and southern Rakhine State were closed for three months due to clashes between the military and the AA but some routes were reopened on 27th November, 2022.

Sittwe-Rathedaung-Buthidaung waterway has been reopened, Manager U San Maw Thein of Shwe Pyi Tan vessel told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "Authorities have reopened routes from Sittwe to Rathedaung and Buthidaung. In the past, there was a route connecting Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Ramree and Taungup. The route has never been closed. The Sittwe-Mrauk-U route, the Sittwe-Rathedaung-Buthidaung route and the Sittwr-Pauktaw-Minbya routes were closed. Now, the Sittwe-Rathedaung-Buthidaung route has been reopened. The route leads to Maungdaw near the Bangladesh border. We have to use the route to go to Maungdaw. So, it is an important route."

It is not still clear when the Pauktaw, Myebon and Mrauk-U route will reopen." he added.

A marketplace in Rakhine State.

As closures and reopening of roads and waterways in Rakhine State were not announced officially, truck drivers are still closely watching the situation, he said.

He said, "Not all the routes have been reopened. It was said that routes were reopened. However, it is very difficult to travel. So, we are still collecting information and still closely watching the situation to operate trucks. There is no official announcement. When they closed the routes, they did not announce it officially. It is difficult to say exactly because they sometimes allowed vehicles to travel and sometimes did not."

Commodity flow to Rakhine State was disrupted due to clashes between the military and the AA, which forced local residents to face commodity shortages and higher prices.