CNI News

21 Feb 2023

Myanmar workers in Thailand have been forced to spend large sums of money for renewals of their different documents at the same time, labour activists in Thailand told the CNI.

At present, Myanmar workers in Thailand have to renew at least three of their documents through agents, spending as much as Baht 10,000 (MMK 1 million) and some workers who cannot afford such amounts have become illegal workers, Director Ko Naing Aung Aung of the Arakan Workers Organization told the CNI.

He said, "Only a few of them live alone. They have three, four or five family members. So, they cannot afford to renew the documents of all family members because it costs as much as Baht 15,000 per person to renew his or her documents. So, they have to give priority to those who work. Everyone wants to live and work in Thailand officially but they cannot afford to renew documents of all family members. Both governments are trying to encourage the workers to live and work officially in Thailand. However, it costs large sums of money and renewal processes are complicated. As a result, some workers are forced to work in Thailand illegally or make wrong decisions.

An office issuing CIs for Myanmar workers

At present, Myanmar workers in Thailand are required to renew their different documents including passports, work permits (pink cards) and certificates of identity-CI.

Migrant workers in Thailand have to take the jobs which Thai citizens do not want to take and earn at least Baht 320 (about MMK 30,000) per day.

Costs for renewing a document are so high but wages of migrant workers are so low that governments and agents can reap benefits from workers, labour activists said.

An office issuing documents for migrant workers

Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI, "In the past, there were agents for renewals of work permits and visas. Now, the situation has changed. Agents and government agencies are cooperating to get money from workers and creating unnecessary difficulties so that workers cannot renew their documents by themselves. Even when their employers help workers, agents and government agencies make the process more complicated by requiring some documents.

The processes for renewing documents serve the interests of agents and workers and their employers are forced to renew their documents through agents.

There are millions of Myanmar workers in Thailand and labour activists have urged them to renew their documents as the rights and benefits of legal workers and illegal workers are very different.

CNI News

21 Feb 2023

The Kachin Independence Army has sent for officials from the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (White Tiger) in Kachin State and warned them off running for election.

He learnt from his party members that the KIA warned his party officials in Kachin State off running for election and he wanted to request the KIA to permit political parties to do so without any restrictions, Chairman U Sai Aik Paung of the SNDP told the CNI.

 KIA Spokesperson Col Naw Bu.

He told the CNI, "We don't exactly know why. We know what our officials said. They are scared. We would like to request the KIA to allow all political parties to run for election without any restrictions and worries.

The CNI contacted KIA Spokesperson Col Naw Bu for comments but he was not immediately available.

The KIA had announced that it would not allow any elections held by the junta to take place in Kachin State, Kachin Politician U Kwan Gaung Aung Kham told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "The KIA had already announced it would not allow elections held by the junta to take place in Kachin State. So, they will warn not only the SNDP but also other parties in areas under their control off standing for election. It may take action against those who will take part in elections."

An office of the SNDP.

There are many townships, in which the majority of residents are Shan people, in Kachin State and the SNDP won in such townships in the previous general election, U Sai Aik Paung told the CNI.

He said, "Officials from our partey in Kachin State are frightened and we cannot urge them to contest elections. If the KIA allows all political parties to take part in elections, we would be happy. I would like to request the KIA to allow all national brethren to contest elections without any restrictions. In the 2010 elections, we won six seats in Kachin State. We want to repeat such a success because the majority of residents in Mansi, Momauk, Bhamo, Mokaung and Mohnyin. However, armed organizations are powerful. Ethnic peoples should love one another."

The SNDP has planned to contest elections in at least six other regions and states in addition to Shan State including Kachin State, Yangon Region, Mandalay Region, Bago Region and Tanintharyi Region.

CNI News

21 Feb 2023

Deputy Chief of Staff Brig-Gen Khaing Min Soe and two other soldiers from the Arakan Liberation Party/Arakan Liberation Army have been detained by No. 101 Battalion led by Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin for secretly instigating factionalism among troops of No. 101 Battalion under the Central Command and persuading some of them to join with him.

Brig-Gen Khaing Min Soe and two soldiers from the ALP were reportedly arrested at Sittwe Airport by the Myanmar military because of the request of Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin and have been detained at No. 101 Battalion. Chairman Khaing Ye Khaing of the ALP wrote a letter to Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin, saying such arrests are not in line with the rules and regulations of the party and instructed her to release the three immediately.

Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin reportedly sent a reply to the chairman.

In her letter, Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin said Brig-Gen Khaing Min Soe violated rules and regulations for a military and party leader by secretly trying to instigate factionalism among the troops and persuading them to join with him and he should have done everything transparently in accordance with rules and regulations without bias.

She added, "I am a vice-chairperson, who has been trying to consolidate the central command. Similarly, commanders and soldiers are trying to do the same. The solidarity of the central command amounts to that of the ALP. After signing the nationwide ceasefire agreement in 2015, the ALP was allowed to open an office in Sittwe and to officially hold talks with the government. The direction of the ALP, which is a signatory to the NCA, is very important. It is very worrisome that he tried to secretly instigate factionalism among five soldiers. If the five soldiers formed a faction, it would be difficult to keep the remaining troops under control. It is not easy to recruit a new soldier."

"After the chief of staff was assassinated, it is important to consolidate the unity among troops. In such a time like this, as the deputy chief of staff, he should not have said that he would disband the entire battalion if his trip was prevented and he should not have instigated factionalism among troops. His moves amounted to disbanding an entire battalion. His wife has done questionable deeds. Instigating factionalism among troops violates the military law."

The CNI contacted Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin for comments but she was not available immediately.

The ALP signed the NCA together with other seven EAOs on 15 October, 2015.

CNI News

20 Feb 2023

Although there are suggestions about the formation of a Bamar state for the future federal democratic union, a question has arisen in the political circle whether the suggestion is viable or not.

Lway Poe Nge, a representative of the National Unity Consultative Council, suggested on the 76th anniversary of union day on 12th February that it was important to form a Bamar state.

Formation of a Bamar state should be taken into coniseration only after toppling the military dictatorship, Political Observer Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw told the CNI.

She said, "I support an ethnic leader who said that it was important to topple the military dictatorship. Remaining issues can be solved among different ethnic groups like family members. The military has created the civil war by causing divisions among ethnic groups. So, we need to topple the military dictatorship first.

EAOs leaders are being welcomed by the public waving ethnic flags.

It was reported that some EAOs suggested the formation of a Bamar state for the equality of different ethnic groups during peace talks with the SAC, which seemed to be indifferent to the suggestion.

It is important to form a Bamar state and implement the Panglong Agreement for the future union, Kachin Politician U Kwan Gaung Aung Kham told the CNI.

He said, "It is necessary to form a Bamar state in accordance with the 8-state solution. However, there may be more than 8 states for other ethnic groups. It is important to implement the Panglong Agreement. We will have to renegotiate with all ethnic groups. I think most of the plain regions will be included in the Bamar state. A federal union must be established in this way. At present, there are states and regions, which are of different units of the country. So, it is necessary to establish the same units like states to form a federal union."

 EAOs leaders are being welcomed by the public waving ethnic flags.

The formation of a Bamar state depends on the Bamar people, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

He said, "It depends on the political solution for Myanmar or how to resolve the political issues facing Myanmar at present. We will have to wait and see whether the Bamar people and political parties which represent them accept the idea or not. It is an aspect of the idea to resolve the current issues of Myanmar."

There are suggestions to form a Bamar state while other smaller minorities like Shanni, Pa-O, Ta'ang (Palaung) and Wa have also called for the formation of their own states.

At present, Myanmar is made up of seven regions, seven states, five self-administered zones and one union territory.

CNI News

20 Feb 2023

The restriction to replace Myanmar truck drivers with their Chinese counterparts at the Kyin San Kyawt-Wanding gate has been lifted, one of the major gates of border trade with China, as of 18th February, according to merchants in Muse.

Chinese authorities issued a statement allowing one truck driver and his assistant of each truck to drive through the border gate as of 18th February, Ko Kyaw Aung, an official at the gate, told the CNI.

Trucks used in the China-Myanmar border trade.

He told the CNI, "The restriction to replace drivers has been lifted from 105-mile zone to Kyin San Kyawt gate. Authorities officially announced that a driver and his assistant would be allowed to drive through the gate as of 18th February by issuing border passes for them."

However, border passes are issued only for residents of Muse and drivers from other states and towns will not be able to drive through the border gate.

As a result, drivers from other parts of the country have to ask for help from Muse drivers to drive their trucks.

A truck used in the China-Myanmar border trade.

The removal of the restriction saves costs for hiring Chinese drivers and workers, Vice Chairman U Min Thein of Muse Rice Exchange told the CNI.

He said, "In the past, we had to move our goods onto Chinese trucks on the Myanmar side of the border because we did not want to hire Chinese drivers. Now, drivers from Muse can drive through the gate into China. It cost a lot of money. Now, we can save costs. It is beneficial for us. I think border trade will improve gradually."

Before the outbreak of COVID-19, Myanmar drivers and assistants were allowed to drive through the gate into China. The restriction was imposed after the outbreak.
The restriction has been lifted in Manwain, Kyin San Kyawt, Chin Shwe Haw and Kan Pai Ti border gates and lifting the restriction saves costs while border trade is facilitated, according to border merchants.

CNI news

18 Feb 2023

Although a ceasefire deal has been reached between the military and United League of Arakan/Arakan Army, the displaced have not been able to return home due to security reasons.

Both sides have not guaranteed the security of the people and there are landmines in theri villages, a displaced person from Sin Baw Kaing in Mrauk-U in Rakhine State told the CNI.

He said, "Of course, we want to return home but it is because it is very difficult for even those who have received assistance from the WFP because they don't have their houses. We have never received any assistance. So, we don't return home and we are worried about security."

 AA leaders.

Although the State Administration Council has compiled the list of the displaced by offering food for one month and MMK 500,000 per family but the program has not been implemented.

There are about 3,000 people in the Sin Baw displaced camp and the WFP has provided MMK 21,000 per person, in-charge U Nyi Pu of the camp told the CNI.

He said, "We need security guarantees from the both sides. They need to carry out remining works and provide assistance.

The ULA/AA and the military reached a ceasefire deal for two year and fighting resumed in August, 2022.

Paletwa.

Due to the armed conflicts in August and September, the number of displaced people increased by 6,000, according to the AA.

Then, both sides reached a ceasefire deal in November, citing the suffering of the local residents.

There are more than 15,000 displaced people in northern Rakhine State and Paletwa in Chin State.

CNI News

18 Feb 2023

The Thai government has allowed Myanmar migrants whose work permits expired as of 13th February, 2023 to stay in Thailand until May.

Moreover, the migrant workers have been allowed to renew their work permits by submitting required documents until 15th May, 2023

Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI, "This allows Myanmar workers to get more time for renewal of their work permits. It is important that employers help their workers submit their personal information online or in person at employment offices in time. The processes for work permits, visas and personal information can be carried out until 15th May. It is good for workers. If employers or agents fail to do so, their workers will get into trouble. However, it is not perfect."

Myanmar workers applying for work permits.

After negotiations between authorities from both countries over work and stay permits of Myanmar workers, the Thai government allowed Myanmar workers to stay in Thailand until May despite the expiry of their work permits, according to a statement of the Myanmar embassy in Thailand.

It is important for Myanmar workers to give priority to renew their work permits than other documents, Director Ko Naing Aung Aung of the Arakan Workers Organization told the CNI.

Myanmar and Thai authorities hold negotiations.

He told the CNI, "After they have renewed their work permits, they can get pink cards and CIs. It doesn't matter whether they hold pink cards or CIs or are still applying for pink cards or CIs, they need to renew their work permits. However, it is not easy for Myanmar workers and they have to borrow money. They have not escaped from the vicious circle of loans."

Labour activists have pointed out that Myanmar migrant workers have welcomed the move but complained that the costs for renewals have increased significantly.

 Myanmar migrant workers.

Agents may increase their service fees as workers are required to renew their work permits by 15th may, 2023, labour activists said.

Although Thai authorities set the fees for renewal of work permits at Baht 6,000, Myanmar workers have to pay double the fees to agents.

CNI News

18 Feb 2023

Some powerful countries are interfering the domestic affairs of the country under the name of democracy, SAC chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said.

He made the comment at the Myanmar-Russia Friendship Forum commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Russia-Myanmar diplomatic relations on 16th February.

He said, "People should be well aware of the fact that some powerful countries are trying to influence the different political processes of smaller countries through various ways and means. Sadly, the worst scenario of it is found to be the interference of the sovereignty of the country by some powerful countries under the name of democracy."

He said countries should have mutual respect, understanding and non-interference in their internal affairs.

However, he did not specify the powerful countries which are interfering in internal affairs.

He said, "We are trying to restore stability while cooperating with ASEAN countries for regional stability and development of the region."

He added that his regime is ready to cooperate with any countries, entities and individuals.

In the world the today, some powerful countries are interfering in the internal affairs of smaller countries under various excuses to destabilize them and to undermint the unity of the smaller countries. On the other hand, they are applying double standards, discrimination and bullying over smaller countries, he added.

Moreover, he thanked the Russian government and the Russia people who have offered assistance to overcome the attempts of some powerful countries to cause the total collapse of Myanmar and he appreciated the friendship.

CNI News

17 Feb 2023

Amidst post-pandemic political changes, a large number of people have left the country to study abroad, to work and to emigrate and a majority of them are leaving the country for employment.

The problem is attributed to unemployment and low wages at home, Myanmar labour activists in other countries told the CNI.

Ko Khant Nay Chi, who has been working for migrant workers in Busan, Korea, told the CNI," People have moving to work in countries where they can get higher wages for 30 years. As there are development gaps among countries, wages vary significantly. At the same time, employment rates in our country have increased and the number of migrant workers has grown in our country. During the outbreak of COVID-19, South Korea banned migrant workers and the labour shortages have undermined their economic growth. As a result, they have to hire foreign workers including those from Myanmar in large numbers.

Currently, large numbers of Myanmar people are leaving the country for other countries including South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

Domestic businesses were hurt during the pandemic and had to suspend their operations due to political changes, Chairman U Zaw Zaw of Hoteliers Association Shan State (North) told the CNI.

Myanmar passport applicant

He added that employers have offered their employees a basic salary of MMK 150,000, they have to try very hard to meet both ends very hard due to rising commodities and depreciation of the Kyat currency.

He added, "We offer higher wages for more competent workers. Businesses have been disrupted by the pandemic and the coup. Then, we encountered the depreciation of the currency. We have been facing one challenge after another. As a result, we have not been able to focus on the needs of our staff.

However, most Myanmar migrant workers who go abroad are unskilled workers and there are only a few skilled workers, according to labour activists.

Moreover, the number of students who go abroad has increased, causing brain drain in Myanmar, Advisor U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Right Network told the CNI.

He told the CNI," Youth are the resources of the country. They play an essential role in the development of the country. Instead of endeavoring the development of the country, they are abroad. We are worried about the future of the country."

It is necessary to understand the laws of the countries before migrant workers go to other countries, labour activists said.