CNI News

11 Feb 2023

A majority of Myanmar workers who went to work under the MOU between the two countries in 2022 have been exploited and lost their labour rights, labour activists in Thailand told the CNI.

Most of them are subject to being employed in jobs that are not stated in their contracts, denying the rights to keep their own documents by themselves, sacking without sound reasons, losses of salaries and compensations for workplace injuries.

Taking advantage of the instability in Myanmar, unscrupulous persons are exploiting Myanmar MOU workers, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

He said, "Exploitation mainly refers to denying workers their salaries. However, abusing the rights of workers amounts to violation of the law. They are exploiting the rights of workers. When an MOU worker comes to Thailand, he or she has to pay Baht 1,000 for social security fees. So, they must be sent to the clinic when he or she is ill. They are entitled to receive treatments in Thailand as soon as they arrive in Thailand. Moreover, they have bought health insurance policies to receive treatments at government hospitals. The Thai government knows all these and that the military junta in Myanmar will not pressure on such issues. As there are many serious problems in Myanmar, labour issues are not taken seriously by government agencies."

Myanmar workers.

In sending MOU workers to Thailand, some agencies are sending more workers than employers have requested and asking for quitting fees from workers who leave jobs because they are not employed in jobs that are not stated in their contracts.

Executive Director U Htoo Chit from the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI, "In principle, employers are required to issue job quitting permits if they cannot employ their workers in jobs stated in their contracts. Some companies issue such permits but others ask for job-quitting fees from workers. Therefore, it is very difficult for workers because they cannot seek jobs for other employers without the permit. As a result, they have become illegal migrant workers."

Overseas employment agencies play an important role in exploitation of MOU workers and workers are required to scrutinize their agencies thoroughly before they are sent to Thailand, according to labour activists in Thailand.
Moreover, responsible officials from the Myanmar embassy in Thailand take effective measures to protect the rights of workers when workers stage protests, they said.

Myanmar workers in front of the Myanmar embassy in Thailand.

Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI, "Responsible officials from the embassy seek compensation when Myanmar workers die and have been incinerated to save face for themselves in front of the bereft families. Myanmar labour attaches rarely offer assistance to Myanmar workers on the ground. That is why, labour activists including me, private organizations and other Myanmar people have to offer assistance to workers who are in trouble. This indicates the labour ministry of our country is corrupted and is seeking self-interests."

Labour activists based in Thailand said workers would not face exploitation if labour officials at the embassy handled labour issues seriously.

The Ministry of Labour of Myanmar resumed sending workers to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries in May, 2022 and has sent about 100,000 workers to the neighbouring country so far.

CNI News

11 Feb 2023

There are signs that attempts are being made to establish democracy through violent means, SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said.

The chairman made the remarks at the meeting on future tasks of the SAC in the morning of the 9th February.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said, "It can be seen that attempts are being made to establish democracy through violent means. There are differences between the conviction of EAOs and that of the terrorist organizations. Most EAOs have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. Armed groups that were founded after 2021 have emerged due to differences over democracy. Under the democratic system, no country nor government will accept armed violence."

It is questionable which institutions have overpowered democracy through violent means and a survey should be conducted to ask the people of Myanmar which institutions and individuals have overpowered democracy through the use of force, political observers said.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said, "As violent acts must be tackled during the second state of emergency, martial law has been imposed on sensitive townships to prevent violence. Martial law was imposed not on the people but on the law violators. The public is entitled to lead their lives in complete freedom in accordance with the rules and regulations. It is believed that stability will be restored in such areas during the upcoming six-month period."

He continued to say that the military is a guardian institution that stands firmly on the multi-party democracy and has to perform duties for security and stability and state responsibilities will be transferred to the winning party after the election."

On the other hand, the NUG, the PDF, the LDF and some EAOs have vowed to disrupt the elections.

CNI News

10 Feb 2023

Issues among Karen armed groups should be resolved through negotiation rather than resorting to military means, Chairman Mahn Aung Pyi Soe of the Karen Democratic Party told the CNI.

Tension has escalated between the Brigade (4) of the Karen National Union and the Kawthoolei Army and resolving conflicts between Karen armed groups through military means was not acceptable for the Karen people, Karen residents in Tanintharyi Region issued a statement on 7th February.

Saw Ner Dah Mya

Mahn Aung Pyi Soe told the CNI that he supported the statements that conflicts among Karen armed groups should be settled through dialogue. Fighting between Karen armed groups is worse."

He said, "I support the statement unconditionally. It is brief but correct. They should not resort to military means. There will be no end to military conflicts. They should resolve conflicts through dialogue. They have not been able to resolve conflicts with the military even after 70 years of war.

The statement urged the groups to learn lessons from the bitter experience that resorting to military means has never resulted in better outcomes and pushed the Karen people to suffer more.

They should resolve the conflict through dialogue and it should be settled through the principle of the KNU, Saw Lay Kapaw of the Karen Peace Support Network told the CNI.

He said, "If they accept the principle of the KNU, there will be fewer differences and problems. As the KNU plays an important role in leading the Karen people, they should resolve the conflicts through dialogue to get better outcomes.

KNU Brigade (4)

The KTLA was founded in July, 2022 by former commander-in-chief of the KNDO Brig-Gen Ner Dah Mya, who was suspended from the post and is active in the area controlled by the KNU Brigade (4).

Then, conflicts between the two sides have escalated with accusations and threats and fighting has broken out between.

CNI News

10 Feb 2023

The QR Code System will be introduced in transportation of goods through border gates such as Myawady, Muse and Chin Shwe Haw as of 11th February.

A MMK 5,000 tax will be levied on each truck.

The Department of Trade has introduced the system to systematically monitor trucks carrying goods under export licenses such as pulses and beans, corn, sesame and peanut and permit them to transport goods by applying for transportation orders.

To facilitate the process, transportation orders have been allowed to apply online.

It was necessary to issue QR Codes quickly and internet connections at checkpoints that process the QR Codes are required to be in working conditions, Vice Chairman U Than Zin Tun of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association told the CNI.

The Myawady Border Trade Zone

He said, "When we apply for QR Codes, authorities sometimes fail to issue QR Codes although we have provided complete information. It is not convenient for us. The QR Code processing software used at the 16-mile gate is different from the one used at the Yaypu Gate between Lashio and Theinni.

And there is only one QR Code processing operator at the 16-mile gate. Truck will have to wait in a long line if he is going out or attending meetings. As the QR Code processing system is based on internet connections, there are delays in the process due to weak internet connections."

QR Codes for commodities which do not require export licenses can be applied for directly.

As agricultural products are not included in the list of commodities that require QR Codes, the system does not affect rice exports, Vice Chairman of Muse Rice Exchange U Min Thein told the CNI.

He said, "The requirement for QR Codes does not affect rice exports as it is officially exported to China. QR Codes must be applied only for restricted goods. Rice and broken rice is included in the agricultural products and pulses and beans are included in the oil crops."

Freight trucks

Exporters are required to apply for QR Codes online to transport goods through the Muse, Myawady and Chin Shwe Haw.

The QR Code system is being launched on a trial basis from 1st to 10th February and taxes will not be levied during the trial run.

Truck drivers transporting goods along trade routes are required to submit the QR Codes for their goods at checkpoints, which will not allow commodities that do not have QR Codes to pass through the gates and will be asked to apply for QR Codes online to continue their journey.

CNI News

10 Feb s023

SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that the elections held by the previous government was the notorious one and all-round efforts were being made to hold prestigious elections.

The senior general made the comment when he met with departmental officials at district and township levels and town elders from Hainggyi Kyun and Ngaputaw townships in Ayeyarwady Region on 8th February.

He said, "There are some difficulties in holding elections in some regions and states. It is necessary to hold prestigious elections accepted by the people. As the elections held by the previous government was a notorious one, all round efforts are being made to hold prestigious elections."

He added that the military had to assume state power due to irregularities during the 2020 general elections and highlighted the need to hold free and fair elections and to enable all eligible voters to cast their votes. However, activities that could lead to irregularities during the campaign and the election were found, he added.

He said, "There were suspicious activities over the elections held by the then government. It was also found that the government committed electoral frauds in the name of prevention of COVID-19. When election results were announced, impossible discrepancies in voters' lists were found and technicians were employed to investigate the voters' lists. Although authorities were asked to investigate the discrepancies repeatedly, they refused to settle the issue and the third Hluttaw was convened to take the state power illegally, leading to the current situation."

Currently, the military has declared a state of emergency since 1st February, 2021 after accusing the NLD government of forming a new government without settling electoral disputes.

The state of emergency was extended another six months on 31st January after it expired its two years term under section 425 of the 2008 constitution.

Members of the NLD, democracy activists and EAOs launched the Spring Revolution to topple the junta.

Intense fighting has erupted in Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Chin State, Karen State, and Kayah State.

The NUG, the PDF, the LDF, the CNF, the KNU, the KIA and KA have vowed to disrupt the election scheduled in 2023 by the SAC.

CNI News

9 Feb 2023

The Union Solidarity and Development Party and the Federal Democratic Party have re-registered to contest the general election.

Former Democratic party (Myanmar) re-registered as the Federal Democratic Party, Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein of the FDP told the CNI.

She said, "We re-registered as the FDP yesterday. The USDP is the first party registered for the election and ours is the second party to re-register in Nay Pyi Taw."

 The USDP party.

Although it was reported that the FDP would join the Federal Union Party led by U Saw Than Myint to contest elections, she doesn't know any deal about the elections, Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein added.

Although the CNI contacted the USDP over the re-registration, the party did not answer the phone call.

However, sources close to the party said that they had registered the party.

Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein said that her party would focus on the Bago Region and peace and the interest of the people.

The UEC meets political parties.

She told the CNI, "We have been engaging in politics in the interests of the county and the people since 1988. In our party, like-minded people are doing what they can. Similarly, U Saw Than Myint's party is doing what they can. In my opinion, rules are tighter and deposits are higher. As we are politicians, we have enough money as an organization and focus on a region where we can win the elections. Our aim is peace and the interests of the people. We want peace and prosperity for the people."

Political parties are required to re-register their parties within 60 days after the enactment of the new political registration law in accordance with the law and rules and regulation and will be dissolved spontaneously , the SAC announced on 31 January, 2023.

Then, the USDP and the FDP have become the first parties to register first.

CNI News

9 Feb 2023

Although the Agriculture Department has sold urea fertilizer to farmers at MMK 50,000 per bag, farmers did not receive any fertilizer, according to farmers in the state.

It was reported that the fertilizer was distributed not to farmers directly but to administrators, who sold the fertilizer into the market, Farmer U Than Swe from Kyauktaw told the CNI.

He said, "They said they would give fertilizer to farmers who cultivate summer paddy and gave fertilizer to administrators but farmers never received it because they sold it in the market. Farmers want fertilizer distributed to them because it is distributed at MMK 50,000 per bag. It is very expensive in the market."

Farmers transplanting seedlings

The current distribution system has been used for successive eras and farmer have lost their rights, Chairman U Kyaw Zan of Rakhine State Peasant Union told the CNI.

He said, "Actually, the Agriculture Department has to inspect what was happening because they have been communicating with peasant organizations. Instead of distributing fertilizer to the General Administration Department, it should have contacted farmers directly.

Otherwise, it will be difficult for farmers to receive fertilizer. Farmers lost their rights. They have been doing the same in successive eras."

The government has been distributing fertilizer to farmers who grow summer paddy and sunflower and plans are underway to do so for farmers who grow monsoon paddy.

Farmers transplanting seedlings

When the Myanmar Petrochemical Enterprise can produce fertilizers, plans are underway to distribute fertilizer to farmers based on the rationion system, Rakhine State Agriculture Department Officer U Tun Myint told the CNI.

He said, "We are not distributing fertilizer to farmers directly. There are fertilizer distribution committees in townships formed by township administrators. They have managed distribution of fertilizer to give priority to those who need it. We are distributing fertilizers depending on the production of it by the petrochemical enterprise."

As the prices of fertilizers, pesticides and fule are high, it is necessary for the government to distribute them to farmers sufficiently and inspect whether they received them, according to farmers.

CNI News

9 Feb 2023

As martial law has been imposed in Kawkareik in Kayin State, security of workers who are going to work in Thailand under the MOU between the two countries, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

Most MOU workers are sent to Thailand via Myawady-Mae Sot Bridge (2) on Myawady-Kawkareik Asian Highway.

As a result, security of workers is worrisome, Labour activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

He said,"Imposing martial law along the route to send migrant workers to Thailand poses risks on innocent migrant workers and local residents. It amounts to creating fear among local residents. It places burden to agencies. Frankly speaking, there is no rule of law in the country. Individual workers should take care of their security and agencies that send worker are responsible. Hundreds of thousands of worker are being sent to Thailand by express bus. It is very dangerous for them."

An archway to Kawkareik.

Although it is convenient for local residents and workers to travel when there is no fighting, they are forced to take care of themselves when armed conflicts erupt, labour activist added.

Lack of job opportunities at home, low wages and high commodity prices have forced Myanmar nationals to work in neighbouring countries legally or illegally.

It is necessary for MOU workers as well as illegal migrants to be more cautious to go to Thailand during the martial law, labour activists warned.

Labour Activist U Ba Yi from the Migrant Workers Rights Network said, "They are worried as martial law has been imposed. They are worried about travelling. If fighting erupts, it is very dangerous for them. Sending MOU workers to Thailand is likely to be suspended or it is difficult for then to go to Thailand legally or illegally. There is no special arrangement for travelers or MOU workers to go to Thailand. It is important for the to take care of themselves."

Workers sent to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries.

As martial law has been imposed in Kawkareik. the Ministry of Labour is responsible for the safety of MOU workers, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

He said, "It is the responsibility of the labour ministry. They should make arrangements to send workers. As the route has been declared as war zone, everyone can be shot to death. As a labour organization, we are worried about workers. No one will know who kill them."

Currently, martial law has been imposed in 37 townships in eight states and regions by the SAC including 11 townships in Sagaing Region, seven townships in Chin State, five township each in Magway and Bago regions, four townships in Kayah State, two townships each in Kayin State and Tanintharyi Region and one township in Mon State.

CNI News

8 Feb 2023

The general crisis can be resolved when the Panglong Agreement can be implemented, the Shan State Restoration Council/Shan State Army issued a statement.

The statement was issued on the 76th Anniversary of the Shan National Day.

The RCSS said, "The current political crisis can be overcome by collectively implementing the essence of the Panglong Agreement, the Panglong Spirit and its provisions."

The celebration of the Shan National Day at the RCSS headquarters

The Panglong Agreement stipulates the building of the federal union by peaceful coexistence of all national races, according to the statement.

The people of the Shan State contributed to establishing the union due to the agreement, which must be borne in the mind of the national races, the statement said.

The RCSS/SSA is a signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.