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CNI News
8 Sept 2022
Human trafficking victims comprising about 50 women from Myanmar have been stranded in Dubai, the UAE, after being sold to Oman although they were told to work as housemaids in Dubai by overseas employment agencies, Ko Sai Yu Maung, an activist who has been offering assistance to the victims, told the CNI.
Most of the victims are from Karen State in Myanmar and all of them want to go home but are liable to compenations ranging from MMK 5 million to MMK 12 million to do so, according to a victim, who returned from Oman because she could no longer work as a housemaid there.
Ko Sai Yu Maung told the CNI, “It can be said that they were sold or trafficked because their wages were exploited. They went to Dubai with tourist visas and when they arrived there, their visas and passports were taken from them and they were forced to sign contracts. They could not run away from their employers because they didn’t have their passports and visas. Their visas expired after three months there but their employers did not extend their visas. They were told that they would have to pay fines for overstaying, air tickets and compensations if they wanted to go home without working for them for six months.
They said they were sent to Omen despite coming to work in Dubai. They had to work the entire day and were allowed to sleep from 3 am to 5 am every day. Some victims were forced to give their employers a massage and some of them were subjected to sexual harrassment and physical violence.”
Meals for Myanmar house workers in Dubai.
Some overseas employment agencies and agents lured them with high wages and weekly holidays in Dubai.
However, they were sent from Dubai to Oman, where they were forced to overwork, eat only one meal a day and work every day even if they were ill without being paid, Ma Soe Soe (Changed name), who returned from Oman because she could no longer work there as a housemaid, told the CNI.
She said, “The employer had a big family including his wife, their three children and relatives. Their house was spacious. The couple and children lived on the upper floor and the mother- and father-in-law and his younger brothers lived on the ground floor. I had to work for all of them. I had to work from 6 am to 3 pm before I was allowed to have a meal. After the meal, I had to work again until 2 to 3 am. There was no day off. I was not allowed to take a day off even when I was ill. Once one of my legs was twisted and I fell off the ladder but I didn’t get a day off and had to work with a limp. There was no other housemaid other than me. I had to do everything. I was very tired and my wages were not paid. So, I no longer wanted to work there.”
As many Myanmar women went to Dubai to work as house workers but a large number of them ended up in Oman, she advised others not to go to Dubai to work as house workers.
She said, “Most women who went to Dubai got into trouble. If you have educational qualifications, it is convenient for you to work in Dubai. You will get days off. You will have work within the office hours. Then, you have your own free time. You can do anything you like. However, you should not go to Dubai as a house worker.
The actual wages of Myanmar house workers, who were sold to Oman, were much lower than the minimum wage of the country.
The minimum wage of a worker in Oman is set at about 300 Omani Rial (about MMK 1.6) million a month but Myanmar housemaids there get only 120 to 150 Omani Rial (from MMK 650,000 to over 800,000) a month.
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CNI News
8 Sept 2022
Although the State Administration Council and the National Unity Government have vowed to build a federal union, they have not rolled out their federal models, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.
He said that he thought the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army would strengthen its forces and continue to fight because rights guaranteed in the constitution were lost after the Tatmadaw staged the coup and it became clear that there is no arm, there is no right.
U Pe Than told the CNI, “There are different models in federalism based on mandates given to ethnic groups. For example, they should disclose the details on how much power will be given to ethnic groups in power sharing, how many percent of natural resources will be allocated to local ethnic groups in resource sharing, how much authority to levy taxes will be given to ethnic groups and how armed forces will be built. Ethnic armed groups will not agree to the concept of one and only armed force by placing their troops under the command of the Tatmadaw because rights guaranteed by the constitution are lost when a coup is staged. There is no arm, there is no right. Rights cannot be demanded without arms. This has been proved repeatedly. So, EAOs will continue to keep arms for a certain period of time. They need this. The SAC and the NUG vowed to build a federal union but neither of them has rolled out their federal models. So, I think the ULA/AA will strengthen their force and continue to fight.”
A conference of EAOs.
Peace talks and the federal union promoted by the SAC cannot be trusted, Chinese Affairs Expert Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw told the CNI.
She said, “We cannot trust them because they have been lying for nearly 70 years. So, I would prefer they didn’t. EAOs joining their peace talks are very tiny groups. No powerful EAOs have joined the talks. So, we don’t need to worry about them. Min Aung Hlaing made it clear that EAOs can keep their arms under the command of the military. That is his federal model. All EAOs are required to join with the military under his command. It is nothing to get excited about.”
The ruling body should take steps to build a federal union, U Tun Aung Kyaw of the policy-making committee of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.
He said, “As ours is a legal political party, we have sound policies. We want to build a genuine union. So, we have consistently called for a federal system. We submit motions for a federal system in successive parliaments. At present, we have adopted policies for a federal system. The ruling body today is an organization that understands the hardships of ethnic peoples. The very ugly and painful civil war has been perpetuated for 70 years because governments do not want to share the state power with ethnic peoples. In my opinion, the ruling class is not truly willing to fulfil the demands of ethnic peoples. If it had true willingness, equality, self-determination and a true federal union called for by ethnic people would have been recognized a long time ago. It is evident to the public why neither side has not rolled out their models.”
EAOs meet envoys from China and the United Nations.
SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that they would build a federal union while the NUG vowed to do the same.
However, neither side has disclosed the details.
Although most ethnic armed organizations have called for a federal union, the AA has demanded the confederate status with a higher mandate.
On the other hand, the United Wa State Army, without talking about federal or confederate statuses, has created a situation similar to the one-country-two-system of China, according to political analysts.
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CNI News
7 Sept 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chairman of State Administration Council Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing in Russia in the morning of 7th September.
They discussed political situations in both countries and regional affairs.
Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said, “There were many highs and lows during the period. However, relations between Russia and Myanmar have improved dramatically. Russia is a country of great historical traditions. During the past 30 years, Russia faced many difficulties but it has reclaimed its top position. Under the leadership of you, Russia has reclaimed its top position. You are one of the greatest leaders of the world.”
The delegation led by Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Russia on 4th September to attend the Eastern Economic Forum.
Then, he met with Russian President Putin on 7th September.
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CNI News
7 Sept 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin called Myanmar a reliable long-term friend of Russia.
President Putin made the comment during his meeting with Chairman of State Administration Council Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the FEFU Campus in Vladivostok, Russia, on 7th September.
President Putin said, “Myanmar is a reliable long-term friend of Russia. We will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year. Relations and cooperation between our two countries have improved soundly. I would like to thank you for accepting my invitation to the EEF and your participation in the forum.
Then, Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said Russia is a leading country and Russia President Putin is one of the leaders of the world.
Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said, “It has been 75 years since the diplomatic relations between our two countries. Therefore, it can be said that our countries have a significant historical background. There were highs and lows during the period. However, it can be seen that relations between the two countries have improved dramatically for more than a decade. Russia is a country of great historical traditions. Russia faced hardships about 30 years ago but it was able to overcome them. Under a decade of your leadership, Russia has been able to reclaim its leading position in the world. I would like to praise your leadership that made Russia one of the leading countries in the world. You are one of the leaders of the world and we are aware that you tackle international issues correctly with a sense of fairness.”
The delegation led by Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing is visiting Russia from 4th to 8th September to represent Myanmar at the EEF on 7th September.
During the visit, the delegation signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in nuclear energy and discussed economic, technological and military cooperation between the two countries.
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CNI News
7 Sept 2022
On 6th September, the Shanni National Army issued a statement about fake news that it killed members of the People’s Defence Force.
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CNI News
7 Sept 2022
Local residents accused an allied force of the Kachin Independence Army and the People’s Defence Force of killing a Shanni monk in Naung Park Village in Banmauk Township, Sagaing Region.
The monk, who was abducted and killed, was Naung Park Sayadaw U Gandhama and he was abducted by the allied force of the KIA and the PDF in the evening of 4th September, according to a local resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons.
Shanni Sayadaw U Gandhama at a concluding ceremony of a Shanni literature course.
He said, “The monk was abducted at about 6 pm on 4th September by about 10 members of the force and there were other members waiting outside the monastery. They neither tied the monk with ropes nor said anything about the arrest. Then, they asked for some layman clothes for the monk and brought him to the west of the village. At about 6.30 pm, we heard gunfire between Naung Park and Namtset villages. They came again to the village at night and took Shanni national activists to the place, where there were three pits, one of which had been refilled with earth. They told them that there were still two pits left for them and beat them before releasing them.”
Sai Kyan Aung on his release.
In the morning of 6th September, villagers went to the site and dug up the refilled pit but they saw the robe of the monk only.
Concerning the incident, the CNI contacted Spokesperson Col Naw Bu of the KIA for comments but did not answer the phone.
The allied force detained Vice Chairman Sai Kyan Aung (a) Sai Say Lai of the Shanni Youth Network on 15th June, 2022.
U Than Pe, who was assassinated on 25th June, 2022.
However, he was released on 24th June due to the request of Shanni civil society organizations, Shan civil society organizations and Shanni political parties.
Similarly, the allied force arrested U Suriya, who is presiding over the village monastery, and 15 villagers from Pinpon Village in the evening of 21st August and released them in the evening of 24th August.
Patron U Than Pe of the Shanni Literature and Culture Committee was assassinated in Haungpar Village in Hpakant Village in Mohnyin District in Kachin State was assassinated on 25th June, 2022.
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CNI News
6 Sept 2022
Border trade with Bangladesh in Maungdaw is likely to come to a halt due to stagnant commodition under transportation restrictions imposed in Maungdaw in Rakhine State, according to merchants in Maungdaw.
As authorities closed Maungdaw-Angumaw Road indefinitely in August, Z-crafts transported trucks along Sittwe-Buthidaung waterway. Two days later, authorities closed the waterway again and trucks cannot travel to Maungdaw.
Therefore, border trade with Bangladesh in Maungdaw is being conducted with goods that have already arrived in the town, U Aung Naing, a merchant in Maungdaw told the CNI.
He said, “We are almost short of goods to be exported. We have to carry out border trade with the stocks we have. On 1st and 2nd September, goods were transported from Buthidaung. Now, the road has been closed for three days. Before 2nd September, trucks could travel from Sittwe checkpoint to Buthidaung jetty. Three days after the Maungdaw-Angumaw road was shut, the route was closed. A cargo boat from Maungdaw runs every other day.”
Goods transported form Yangon and other states and regions are being unloaded at Sittwe Port currently, according to merchants.
A cargo truck in Maungdaw border trading camp.
Border trade with Bangladesh has been delayed because it takes longer to transport goods from merchants in Maungdaw to Sittwe border trading camp, U Aung Naing added.
He told the CNI, “Goods we have already ordered are now unloaded in Sittwe and exported to Bangladesh. Fishery products are also exported from Sittwe to Bangladesh. If we can export goods from Maungdaw to Bangladesh by boat, it takes only one hour to get to Bangladesh. It takes 20 hours to export goods from Sittwe to Bangladesh by sea.”
Through the border trading camp in Maungdaw, Myanmar exported goods worth US$ 2.83 million in May, US$ 2.32 million in June, US$ 1.562 million in July and US$ 1.483 million in 2022.
As goods cannot be transported to Maungdaw, Merchants there face difficulties, Vice Chairman U Aung San Thein of Maungdaw Border Trade Chamber of Commerce told the CNI.
He said, “Goods have not arrived in Maungdaw for two or three days. So, we cannot export goods to Bangladesh. Merchants want to export goods but it is difficult.”
Due to clashes between the military and the AA, transportation routes have been closed indefinitely and export volume to Bangladesh has dropped and merchants think that border trade from Maungdaw will come to a halt soon.
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CNI News
6 Sept 2022
As China has given the cold shoulder to Myanmar, it is likely that leaders of the State Administration Council travelled to Russia frequently and the country has edged closer to Russia, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, an expert on China, told the CNI.
It was also likely that the Tatmadaw was displeased with the warm relations between the National League for Democracy led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, she added.
Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw said, “The NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and China fostered good relations in recent years. The military was displeased with that warm relations. China was also greatly disappointed with the decision of the U Thein Sein government to cancel the Myitsone Project. Since then, the relations between the military and China have soured. When Daw Aung San Suu Kyi developed warm relations with China, the military was displeased. So, when he planned the coup, he discussed the matter with Russia first. During an interview with a Russian newspaper, he said that he would continue to engage in politics and that some powerful countries were helping ethnic armed organizations, referring to China. He may think he needs the backing of a powerful country but relations with China have soured. When he met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, he complained that there were irregularities in the general election. However, China refused to side with him. So, he turned to Russia. Without being invited, he is visiting Russia. When Yang Yi visited Myanmar again, he refused to meet with him in Nay Pyi Taw. So, as the relations with China are tense and he has edged closer to Russia.”
Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing meets President Xi Jinping.
If the SAC chairman can meet with President Putin, it will be a diplomatic victory for him but as the head of state of the host country, President Putin will have to meet with any leader attending the forum.
Dr. Aung Myo told the CNI, “The chairman has gone to Russia because we will receive high-tech and cooperation from Russia, especially in the energy sector. We cannot rely on China in the energy sector. We will have to rely on Russia especially for energy. So, I support the chairman’s visit to Russia. On the other hand, we will have to develop friendship with China because it is a big market with a population of more than one billion.”
Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing in Russia.
The SAC chairman arrived in Russia on 4th September to attend the EEF on 7th September.
Russian President Putin will meet with leaders of Myanmar, Armenia, Mongolia and China, who will attend the EEF, according to the Tass news agency of Russia.
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CNI News
6 Sept 2022
Service fees for jobs in Thailand, Malaysia and Japan have almost doubled due to appreciation of foreign currencies against the Kyat, overseas employment agencies told the CNI.
As service fees for jobs in Malaysia and Japan are paid in the US dollar, which closed at MMK 3,550 recently, the service fees have almost doubled.
Although service fees for jobs in Thailand can be paid in the Baht, which is also appreciating against the Kyat and recently hit MMK 100 per Baht, service fees for jobs in Thailand have also risen twice as much as before.
Managing Director Daw Myat Hayman Lin told the CNI, “In the past, the Baht exchange rate was about MMK 60. Now, it has risen to MMK 100. Service fees approved by the government of Thailand is Baht 6,000 per person which was MMK 360,000 previously. Now, it has risen to MMK 600,000. As all foregin currencies are appreciating against the Kyat, service fees for jobs in Thailand and Malaysia have risen. Value of foreign currencies depends on their exchange rates against the US dollar. So, all foreign currencies are appreciating against the Kyat. MMK 10,000 is equal to Baht 100 at present. As we have to work resting on exchange rates, it is not convenient for workers as well as our agencies.”
Myanmar citizens preparing to go abroad are seen at the airport. (Getty Image)
Service fees for working in Malaysia and Japan hit MMK 3.2 million per person and MMK 8 million per person respectively.
As workers for Malaysia and Japan are sent by air, they have to pay for their air tickets in the US dollar or the Kyat equivalents of the US dollar.
Currently, it is difficult to buy the US dollar in the market because no one wants to sell the green buck. So, workers are forced to pay for their air tickets in Kyat and suffer exchange rate losses.
Director Ko Nay Oo of Naytic Asia Agency told the CNI, “There is no problem with appreciating foreign currencies. The real problem is the huge gap between the official exchange rate and market exchange rates. As long as the gap exists, we will have problems in buying air tickets and paying service fees. If the official exchange rate and market exchange rates were the same, there would be no problem. The government cannot sell the US dollar to the market. So, it is very difficult to buy the US dollar even if we pay MMK 4,000 for one US dollar. The government sells the US dollar only to those who are close to it.”
Myanmar workers waiting to go to work in Thailand on 25th May, 2022. (Information Sheet)
As Malaysian companies have not sent new demand letters and it takes a long time to work in Japan because it is necessary to study Japanese and only a few jobs in Japan are offered to Myanmar, most workers are jostling for jobs in Thailand.
Daw Myat Hayman Lin told the CNI, “All workers are trying to go to Thailand, which traditionally employs a large number of Myanmar workers without any educational requirements. All Myanmar workers who are strong enough to work can go to Thailand. Moreover, the two countries have land links and share the same nature. It is easy to go to Thailand.”
Although service fees have nearly doubled, there is no shortage of Myanmar workers who want to work abroad, according to overseas employment agencies.
Despite the doubling costs, incomes of Myanmar workers who earn foreign currencies in other countries have risen in terms of the Kyat.