CNI News

2 August 2022

Concerning the current political situation, the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) released the statement today (July 31) that they will mainly focus on the discussion and will make efforts to find a way to build a federal democratic union.

RCSS held its six-monthly meeting from July 28^th to 31^st and that statement was published after that.

In that statement, it describes that the review on the six-month business reports presented by the respective departments was made and political scene, military situations, internal and external conditions of the organization were openly discussed and the upcoming procedures had been established grounded on those factors.

RCSS said, “Concerning the current political situation, RCSS will mainly focus on the discussion and meetings, and will try hard to find a way to build a federal democratic union.”

Then, RCSS issued the statement that due to the political instability and weakness in law enforcement in rural areas, cities and villages, the number of robberies becomes on the rise, therefore, they urge that the troops and the public should take collaborative responsibility to protect their communities and cities.

In the same way, it announces in RCSS’s today statement that they will liaise with all the relevant organizations and will make collaborations with them in order to achieve long-lasting peace and build the federal democracy.

RCSS/SSA is Shan armed group that had signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).

RCSS also met with SAC’s chairperson Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and discussed about peace and development related matters.

On the other hand, there are some cooperations with the Spring Revolution forces and the attempts to the revolution against military dictatorship.

CNI News

2 August 2022

The Migrant Workers Rights Network (MWRN) told CNI that raising the basic wages of migrant workers including Myanmar in Thailand, from the current specified amount 320 Baht to 492 Baht, is being requested.

In that regard, it is known that MWRN cooperated with Thai Labour Solidarity Committee (TLSC), the National Labour Union League and the case has been submitted to the Thai Ministry of Labour.

U Bri from MWRN said, “The wage rise to 492 Baht has been demanded, with the intention that it would still be beneficial to the workers, even if only 10 Baht or 20 Baht is increased. In Thailand, as the prices of goods are on the rise, it becomes quite hard to stand with the daily wage of only 325 Baht. In addition to the wages not being excessive, it even becomes insufficient for a living. The reason why I say insufficient is that now it even costs 250 Baht for a kilo of pork and 280 Baht if it is meat only. In the past, the pork price is just around 130-140 Baht per kg. Here in Thailand, the rice price has increased, the oil price also becomes higher and everything regarding goods’ prices has gone up. As the prices surge day by day, it becomes difficult for the livelihood with the current daily wages.”

Although it is set that the basic wage of a worker in Thailand is about 320 Baht per day, there are still some workplaces where the workers cannot get the full pay of 320 Baht. And it is said that in some workplaces, there are also days that they do not have to work when the employers cannot afford to pay the wages to them due to the economic conditions.

Seeing a female worker from a seafood supply chain in Thailand

Ko Lay Nhyin who is working in Thailand said, “a person’s daily wage is 320 Baht, but it is not like we have to work every day, there are also days we do not have work, and that leads to the financial struggles. Besides, the accommodation costs, electricity charges, water costs are expensive. If we, Burmese people are not here in Thailand, it won’t have been easy for them in their works. If it is not 492 Baht, over 400 Baht for example, should be given as the basic daily wage. That is what we want to make a request to Thai authorities.”

Last June, the basic wage to the skilled workers from 16 jobs nationwide in Thailand was increased, but migrant workers including Myanmar did not include in it.

“The basic wage currently set might be enough for a worker’s expenditure, but there is no surplus,” U Bri from MWRN told CNI.

“Most of the migrant workers who come to Thailand have financial difficulties for the families while in their home country. Thus, when they come here, they have their parents, children, relatives who depend on them and they need to send the money, at least 2 lakhs to 3 lakhs per month to them for the sake of their children’s education and family’s livelihoods. So, in that case, it might be convenient for him for the living, but not for his children and family who stand with his income,” he said.

Temporary labor card (BAT-pink card) will be issued to illegal migrant workers working in Thailand starting from August 1 and it is said that workers will be recruited to solve the problem of the demand for labor and the illegal entry of the workers.

CNI News

2 August 2022

U Bri from MWRN told CNI that there was a fraud of over 80,000 Baht (over 4,000,000 MMK) from the Burmese people who are held in custody in Thailand Immigration Detention Centre in the south of Thailand, that person saying that she would help them release with 18,000 Baht (over 900,000 MMK) per person.

“Some of the relatives and acquaintances imprisoned here used to work in the construction site in Thailand. A Thai broker told them that she would make to release them all with 18,000 Baht per person and their parents transferred the money to her from Myanmar, the total amount is 81,000 Baht. That money hadn’t been gotten back yet. The people from the custody called me and asked for help. I have known that broker since a long time ago. She has been like that since before and there are so many people who got tricked by her,” he said.

When they call and ask that broker to give the money back, it is known that she told them to allow her some time until 9^th. Those who were detained are the ones who illegally entered Thailand. It is said that they are sent to the repatriation camp only after they have served their prison terms.

A place in the prison where migrant workers are being detained

Besides, it is also known that only those who bribe the Thai authorities with money are added to the repatriation list.

“Now some ask up to 6000-7000 Baht. If they don’t pay, they threatened like they will be imprisoned in the Din Nort Immigration Detention centre for 6 to 7 months and even up to 8 months, like that. And, they asked for the phone numbers of parents in Myanmar, called and told them like if the money is sent today, then 6000 Baht is the deal and if tomorrow, the deal price will be 7000 Baht. So, as parents feel anxious about their children, they borrowed money with every little possession they own and sent the money. Actually, in the legal way, those held in the prison do not need to pay travel expenses. According to Thailand’s law, they can be sent back to the border with the government’s budget,” he said.

It was reported that Thai authorities and interpreters joined hands together to ask for the money from the people who were in prisons, and the travel cost does not even cost 1,000 Baht per person.

CNI News

1 August 2022

Chairman of State Administration Council Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said plans were underway to meet with a delegation of the Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army, an ethnic armed group which has not joined recent negotiations, for peace talks soon.

The SAC chairman announced the plan in his speech delivered to the public at the end of 18 months’ term of the SAC on 1st August morning.

The SAC already held negotiations with nine EAOs and the second round of talks was in the pipeline, the SAC chairman said.

The NSPNC of the Tatmadaw and a SSPP delegation hold talks on 31 March, 2022.

He said, “Ten EAOs including seven signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and three non-signatories informed us that they would join peace talks. Now, we have met with nine EAOs and we will hold talks with the remaining EAO soon. Plans are underway to hold the second round of talks with EAOs, which we have already met. During the negotiations, we frankly discussed the implementation of the multi-party democracy system in accordance with the will of the people, building the union based on democracy and federalism, the actual needs for regions and the country and wants and shoulds.”

Tensions between the Tatmadaw and the SSPP were high when the former asked the latter to withdraw three camps in Monghsu Township in Shan State (South) and  talks were delayed.

The SAC and the SSPP will hold negotiations in the first week of August, according to diplomatic sources.

However, the reports could not be verified independently since the SSPP did not answer the phone calls for comments.