CNI News

3 Nov 2022

As there are advantages and disadvantages in holding the Overseas Worker Identity Cards, Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand should take the issue seriously, labour activists for Myanmar workers in Thailand told the CNI.

The Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok announced that it will issue OWIC cards for those who renew their passport for jobs as of 7th November.

Labour Activist U Min Oo of the FED told the CNI, “It is a hard choice. If workers face problems like worksite accidents and lawsuits, they need recommendations from the embassy. So, when they hold OWICs, the embassy has their personal data and can help them effectively. On the other hand, their personal security has been breached as the junta embassy has stored all their data. There are advantages as well as disadvantages. So, migrant workers will have to make their own decisions on the matter by taking it seriously. Therefore, we do not urge them to do so. They will have to make their own decisions.”

The TDCC office in Maha Chiang.

The OWIDs will carry the address and phone numbers of the families of workers, who are required to pay the embassy Baht 800 for passports for job and another Baht 250 for OWICs, according to the statement of the embassy.

Moreover, those who have renewed their passports for a job as of September, 2021 are required to submit their passports at the TCDD office in Maha Chiang together with Baht 250 for the OWICs, which will be issued within one day.

Although it is a convenient arrangement for workers nearby, it is difficult for workers from other parts to come to the office, Labour Activist for Myanmar workers in Thailand told the CNI.

He said, “It is convenient for Myanmar workers in Maha Chaing but it would cost a lot of money for Myanmar workers in other parts of Thailand to travel to the office. Another factor is that the government of Thailand does not recognize OWICs. So, migrant workers are required to apply for work permits. So, it is just a system that will cost Myanmar workers a lot of money because they will have to pay more to agents and the embassy.”

As the majority of Myanmar migrant workers have to rely on agents whenever they are required to apply for new documents, they will have to pay much more than the fees collected by the embassy, labour activists told the CNI.

  People applying for passports.

Myanmar migrant workers are required to submit addresses of their families in Myanmar together with their names and phone numbers and the name of their overseas job agencies.

The Ministry of Labour announced in June that Myanmar migrant workers are required to apply for OWICs, which are valid for five years.

CNI News

3 Nov 2022

As the lockdown has been imposed in Ruili and Wanding, Chinese merchant are not able to import monsoon watermelons from Myanmar and the fruit export market has collapsed in Myanmar, according to the fruit commodity exchange in Muse.

The export market for monsoon watermelons has collapsed in Myanmar due to lockdowns in China, Owner U Sai Khin Maung of Khwarnyo Fruit Warehouse told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “It is difficult to predict the situation. If the lockdown is imposed for a long time, Chinese merchants will not be able to come to us and the border trade market will collapse. Only after the lockdown has been lifted, will we be able to trade as usual. The Chinese government is imposing lockdowns repeatedly. So, we will have to rely on the local market.”

Watermelon farmers also said that they have to sell their fruits to local markets like Thiri Mingalar Market and Danyingone Market.

   A China-Myanmar border trade gate.

Merchants can get as much as Yuan 60,000 or MMK 18 million for a truckload of watermelons (17 tons) to export watermelons to China, they get only MMK 3 million for a truckload in the local market.
Watermelon farmers are suffering losses, Ko Thitsar, a watermelon farmer from Sagaing Region, told the CNI.

He said, “If we sell watermelons to China, we get two to three Yuan per kilo. If our fruits meet the quality standards set by Chinses authorities, we get high prices. In the domestic market, we have to sell in terms of quantity whether it is small or big. When we sold a truckload of watermelons, we got Yuan 60,000 (MMK 18 million). In the domestic market, we get only MMK 3 to 3.5 million for a truckload of watermelons. We had to invest MMK 4.5 million but we got only MMK 3.5 million for our fruits. So, we are suffering losses.”

   A watermelon plantation.

At present, only one or two truckloads of watermelons could be exported to China and merchants were struggling to cover the transportation charges, according to merchants.

Watermelon exporters suffer losses every year depending on the policies of Chinese authorities.

To solve such issues, Myanmar merchants and farmers want to export watermelons to China under the G-to-G agreements.

   Watermelon truck heading to China.

The total acreage of watermelons in Myanmar dropped this year due to higher costs of inputs and instabilities in some regions.

As the export market of the fruit has collapsed, farmers will further decrease the acreage of watermelons to one-third of the previous year in the upcoming season, according to farmers.

While total acreage has dropped, the yield has fallen by 60 percent, according to them.

CNI News

3 Nov 2022

Whether Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could help overcome the current crisis in Myanmar is a hotly debated issue in the local political circle and in the international community.

Some politicians still believe that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could help resolve the current political crisis while others think dialogues involving all stakeholders is the only way to overcome it.

The fact that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been in prison reflects the weaknesses in resolving political issues through political means, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

  Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Gen Mutu Say Poe and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing. (AFP)

He said, “Whether the crisis could be overcome if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi brokered a deal depends on the how she would do it. It is just wishful thinking because she has been imprisoned. It would be difficult to realize the idea because the current crisis was caused by weaknesses in resolving political issues through political means. Therefore, it mainly depends on whether there is the will to solve political issues through political means.”

At present Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to 26 years in prison under the Official Secret Act, the Natural Disaster Management Law, the Election Law and the Anti-corruption Law but she is still facing five more charges on corruption.

There is no chance for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to help resolve the current crisis, Advocate U Kyee Myint told the CNI.

He said, “First of all, she has no chance to help resolve the crisis because the military will accept nothing but appointing its chief as the president of the country. He cares no one including the UN and the ASEAN. He will hold the election in accordance with his policy and will become the president by holding the elections phase by phase, first in Yangon Region and then in Mandalay Region. It doesn’t matter for him whether the elections are internationally recognized or not and he will hold elections to save face and to make himself the president of the country through whatever means he has. If he cannot do that, he will set the entire country on fire and will flee. He will never give a chance to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to take an important role. That is exactly what the military is doing. We have nothing to talk about the military because it has done everything to destroy the country. If the NUG cannot prove their words by their deeds, the country will suffer more.”

Supporters of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

To resolve political issues through political means, it is important to create an environment conducive to inclusive dialogues, Spokesperson Comrade Aye Lwin of the ABSDF told the CNI.

He said, “Based on 34 years’ experience of our organization, we adopted a policy to resolve political issues through political means. So, we took part in political dialogues. Our organization has never had a policy to resolve political issues through an individual leader. I would like to reiterate that our policy is to resolve political issues through inclusive political means.”

The military staged a coup on 1st February, 2021 after ousting the National League for Democracy Government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by accusing it of forming a new government without settling voters’ list disputes. Since then, it has detained leaders of the NLD including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint.

As a result, street protests emerged and armed conflicts have erupted, causing political, economic, social, health and education crises in the country.

CNI News

2 Nov 2022

Acting President Duwa La Shila of the National Unity Government has called on the All Burma Student Democratic Front for continued support for the Spring Revolution as a pioneer of the revolutionary generations.

The acting president said in his video address on the 34th Anniversary of the founding of the ABSDF, which falls on 1st November that he was proud that the ABSDF had been able to stand steadfastly on the path of the people’s democracy revolution.

The acting president said, “We must study the past revolutionary experience to draw strength from best examples and learn lessons from mistakes. I am extremely proud that the ABSDF has been able to stand on the path of the people’s democracy revolution. I would like to urge the ABSDF to teach Spring Revolution new generations how to build strong military units with far-sightedness. The ABSDF has been able to offer assistance to and cooperate with the new generations of the Myanmar Spring Revolution in various sectors. I would like to call on the ABSDF for continued support for the Spring Revolution as a pioneer of the revolutionary generations.”

The 34th Anniversary Ceremony of the ABSDF in progress.

He added that the ABSDF has matured by its experience and ideology of armed struggle.

Spokesperson Comrade Aye Lwin of the ABSDF told the CNI, “The Spring Revolution plays an important role in in the fight against the military dictatorship. So, I would like to reiterate that we will join hands with all who have been participating in the Spring Revolution in the fight. We need to build unity among all revolutionary forces including the forces of the Spring Revolution to uproot the military dictatorship. We need support of the international community and necessary resources.”

Comrades from the ABSDF.

The ABSDF has built the bridge between the Bamar ethnic group and non-Bamar ethnic groups, said Chairman U Aung Moe Zaw of the Democratic Party for New Society.

He said, “With the entire country calling for federal democracy in the streets, I think comrades from the ABSDF paved the way for federal democracy more than 30 years ago.”

The ABSDF was founded on 1st November, 1988 by students, workers and youth who took part in the 8888 movement and left for border areas.

The ABSDF is a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement but supports the forces of the Spring Revolution to topple the military.

CNI News

1 Nov 2022

As Malaysia is preparing to hold the general election soon, documented or undocumented Myanmar migrants were asked to be more cautious wherever they go and not to talk Malaysian politics, Myanmar organizations in Malaysia told the CNI.

The organizations told the CNI that they had to ask Myanmar migrants to be more cautious because the general election will be held in Malaysia on 19th November and fighting may erupt between some rival political parties in some places.

An official from the Alliance of Chin Refugees told the CNI, “We should not express our opinions on Malaysian political parties wherever we go because different people support different political parties. We are not Malaysia citizens and we should not talk about Malaysian politics. If someone dislikes our opinions, they may hold grudges against us. It is important not to say who is a better minister for refugees or Myanmar migrants. At worksites, there are people from different countries.”

 Detained migrant workers in Malaysia.

“Malaysian citizens will choose the party they support. We must not create undesirable grudges against us. So, we must do our work. This is the election of Malaysian citizens, not ours,” he added.

Myanmar migrants were also asked to leave the place where brawls erupt between supporters of different political parties as soon as possible.

If they fail to leave the place in time, it is dangerous for undocumented migrants, the official told the CNI.

Arrests of migrants have been made on a daily basis since the parliament was dissolved and a fresh election was announced. More arrests of migrants are likely to be made when the elections are closer, Labour Activist U Babu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrants, told the CNI.

Among migrants from different countries, Myanmar migrants make up the largest number of detainees in Malaysian detention centres and prisons. The second largest groups of detainees are Indonesians.

 Detained migrant workers in Malaysia.

U Babu Gyi told the CNI, “The Malaysian immigration chief announced that they would arrest illegal migrants every day. Arrests are made every day. The largest migrant group in detention centres are from Myanmar because they sneaked into Malaysia. I visited some prisons and detention centres at Thai-Malaysia border yesterday. They are full of Myanmar detainees. Some detainees were have to be moved to other states because prisons and detention centres there are very crowded. I think about 10,000 Myanmar migrants have been detained. It was a sorrowful scene. They need help. Some of them were crying.
It was announced that security will be tightened until the election is over.

As a result, Myanmar organizations in Malaysia are urging illegal Myanmar migrants to be more cautious.

CNI News

2 Nov 2022

India has raised the maximum support price for pigeon pea imported from Myanmar and other countries from more than US$ 800 to US$ 965 per ton.

Raising the MSPs of pulses and beans in India tends to increase prices in the Myanmar pulses and beans market, In-charge U Nay Win Soe of Aya Trade Centre told the CNI.

He said, “They set the maximum support price yearly. They have raised the MSP for pigeon pea this year. Normally, pulses and beans prices in Myanmar rise when the MSPs are raised. It will be beneficial for farmers in Myanmar.”

However, prices of pulses and beans in Myanmar have dropped and the market has been sluggish due to an instruction issued by the Department of Trade, which requires merchants to export value-added products from pulses and beans.

  Inspection of pulses and beans.

He told the CNI, “Pulses and beans prices have dropped recently. The Department of Trade issued an instruction to export value-added products from pulses and bean and prohibit the exports of raw pulses and beans. At least, we will need to process pulses and beans. So, the market has been sluggish. We haven’t discussed the matter with our Indian counterparts yet.”

As pulses and beans harvested in India have entered the market at present, the demand for Myanmar pulses and beans has shrunk. Therefore, the exports of pulses and beans from Myanmar dropped in October.

When pulses and beans stocks in India are low, prices in the Myanmar pulses and beans market are likely to rise. Currently, merchants are watching the situation due to the requirement to export value-added products.

CNI News

1 Nov 2022

The Lisu National Development Party (Crossbow Party) is preparing to contest the general election slated for 2023, Chairman U Shwe Min told the CNI.

However, the chairman was not sure whether elections will take place in constituencies where their people reside.

U Shwe Min said, “It mainly depends on the decisions of the Union Election Commission along with the security conditions. If the UCE decide election should take place in out areas, we will contest elections.

    An election campaign of the LNDP.

We still don’t know how the UEC will decide and how the UEC will hold the elections. What we know is that elections will be held in 2023 and the proportional representation system will be introduced. However, we still don’t know whether the elections will be held based on township or district systems. The commission has not informed us of anything officially. So, it is difficult for us to say anything exactly. The government and the UEC know what they will do. We are just getting ready for the elections.”

The LNDP will hold a party conference in December, 2022 to contest the elections to be held by the SAC.

The UEC announced that the PR system will be introduced in the upcoming elections.

There are fewer chances for ethnic minorities to get elected to the parliament, U Shwe Min said.

An election campaign of the LNDP.

He said, “As far as we know, the UEC will introduce the PR system in the upcoming elections. The system can prevent the party dictatorship or control but offer fewer chances for ethnic minority parties. We will win in our townships under the FPTP system because the townships are resided by our people. If the PR system is based on district, it is difficult for our ethnic minorities to get elected to the parliament."

The LNDP contested in the general elections held in November, 2020 and won two seats.

SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing promised to hold a fresh general election in August, 2023 and to transfer power to the winning party.

CNI News

1 Nov 2022

The storm, which hit Rakhine State on 24th October destroyed about 90,000 acres of f Some 90,000 acres of farmland damaged by storm in Rakhine State armland in eight townships in Rakhine State, according to statistics collected by the All Rakhine State Peasants’ Union.

As a result, 3 million baskets of paddy were destroyed, U Kyaw Zan of the ARSPU told the CNI.

He said, “According to statistics collected by the ARSPU, about 90,000 acres of paddy fields, especially in Taungup, Myaybon, Minbya and Rathedaung were destroyed by the storm on 24th October. The storm also affected farmland in Ann, Kyaukphyu, Pauktaw and Ponnagyun. As a result, between 3 and 3.5 million baskets of paddy were destroyed.”

Due to salt water flooding caused by the storm damaged 20,000 acres of farmland in Taungup.

Salt water flooding in farms in Rakhine State.

As a result, farmers have suffered losses and they need salt-resistant paddy varieties for the upcoming cultivation season, a farmer from Taungup told the CNI.

He said, “In connection with assistance, we need fertilizers as farms were flooded by salt water. Farms were salty and acidified. So, it is difficult for use to grow crops in the upcoming cultivation season and we need fertilizers and salt-resistant paddy varieties. Then, we need chemicals to make soil suitable for cultivation.”

Farmers had to reduce cultivation acreage this year due to higher costs for inputs such as fertilizers, fuel and pesticides while crop yields are likely to fall as they could not use suvvisicent fertilizers. Moreover, farmers had to abandon their farms due to resumption of fighting in Rakhine State.

Farmers.

Under such circumstances, paddy yields are likely to drop in Rakhine State, according to activists for peasants.

As paddy cultivation acreage in the state fell from 850,000 acres last year to 750,000 acres this year, the state will be able to produce about 30 million baskets of paddy during the harvest, according to the peasant union.

As the paddy yield is just enough for local consumption, authorities are required to take systematic measures for self-sufficiency of paddy in the state, according to U Kyaw Zan.

He told the CNI, “If government plans are systematic, Rakhine State is likely to maintain self-sufficiency of rice. Farmers had to borrow money to cultivate paddy, they will not be able to keep the crop by themselves. They will have to sell the crop. If the paddy they harvested is transported by merchants to other main states and regions, local people will not have enough rice to eat.”

Normally, an acre of land in Rakhine state yields 60 baskets of paddy but it is estimated that only about 50 baskets will be yielded from an acre of farm this year due to falls in fertilizer use and droughts.

CNI News

1 Nov 2022

The Kawthaung-Ranong route or flights should be used instead of the Myawaddy-Mae Sot route in sending workers from Myanmar to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries, labour activists for Myanmar workers told the CNI.

Workers should not be sent from the Myawaddy-Mae Sot route because of the security situation along the route and taking alternative routes will be able to overcome such threats.

Labour Activist U Min Oo of the FED told the CNI, “Flights are the most convenient way to send workers to Thailand within a short time. If workers are to be sent from the Kawthaung-Ranong route, they will have to take domestic flights to Kawthaung and cross the border into Thailand by boat. So, the route is not as convenient as flights to send a large number of workers. The advantage of using the Myawaddy-Mae Sot route is that a large number of workers can be sent by cars from No (2) bridge. Currently only a few workers come from the Kawthaung-Ranong route. I think agencies can send workers from the route and it will not cost much more. However, they will have to use roads and the waterway and it is difficult to send a large number of workers.”

  Myanmar workers preparing to travel to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries.

Although agencies are sending workers by plane or from the Kawthaung-Ranong route, the number of workers who took the routes is fewer compared to that of the Myawaddy route.

If alternative routes are to be used, agencies are likely to charge more service fees from workers and the Myawaddy-Mae Sot route is the most appropriate route for sending workers, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

He said, “The Myawaddy-Mae Sot route is the most convenient route because it is easy for authorities to check their documents. Agencies can also send the workers from the Kawthaung-Ranong route but the problem is that they will have to travel a long way to get to their worksites. We need to take this into consideration. The Myawaddy-Mae Sot route is much nearer to their worksites than the Kawthaung-Ranong route.”

Although the Myawaddy-Mae Sot route is the most convenient route for sending workers to Thailand, it is necessary to take extra heed than before due to the deteriorating security situation in the area, Ko Thar Gyi added.

He told the CNI, “Agencies need to take extra heed until their workers arrive in Myawaddy. If agencies carefully listen to conflict news and send workers to Thailand, it will be safer for them. Thailand authorities including immigration, labour and health officials have already arranged for the workers to come from Myawaddy. So, they need to take extra heed for unpredictable dangers along the route until they arrive in Myawaddy.”

A checkpoint for Myanmar workers in Thailand.

Fighting erupted along the Myawaddy-Kawkareik road section of the Asia Highway on 18th October and MOU workers were stranded due to temporary closures of the highway but the road was reopened on 21st October.

The Kawthoolei Army issued a statement on 26th October, prohibiting travels along the road section without its permission.

The statement warned of travelling along the road section due to escalation of military tensions between the junta and its forces.

Despite the tensions, some vehicles and agencies are still using the road to send workers to Thailand.