CNI News

4 Feb 2023

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand whose four- or six-year work permits expired before the outbreak of COVID-19 are required to renew theirs in a timely manner, labour activists told the CNI.

Thai authorities have extended the period for work permits for them until 15th May and such workers are required to renew theirs in time without fail.

Labour activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI, "It is important for them to have their passports renewed. If their passports are valid, their visas will be fully extended according to the law whether they are holding four- or six-year work permits. Thai authorities have extended period for renewal of work permits so that they have enough time to renew their passports. When they have their passports renewed, their employers will help them renew their work permits in some ways or others."

Migrant workers sent to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries.

Thai authorities first allowed Myanmar migrant workers to renew their work permits by 13th February but later extended the renewal period until May so that the workers have enough time to renew their passports.

Moreover, Thai authorities permitted about 60,000 MOU workers whose four-year work permits expired between 1st November, 2020 and 31st December, 2022 and about 50,000 MOU workers whose four-year work permits are going to expire between 1st January, 2023 and 31st July, 2023 to work temporarily for a period no longer than six months in Thailand.

Labour activists said that such extension of renewal period was to enable migrant workers to renew their passports.

Authorities inspect a factory during the outbreak of COVID-19.

MOU workers whose six-year work permits expired but passports were still valid had been allowed to renew their work permits for two years, they said.

Labour activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI, "Six-year work permit holders can choose between the two year permit authorities have granted them or another six-year permit if they are still working for the same employers through their agencies in both countries. Most four-year work permit holders are still working for their original employers, especially in Mahachai.

Moreover, it costs tens of thousands of Baht for migrant workers to renew documents including work permits, passports, visas in time through agents, according to labour activists.

CNI News

4 Feb 2023

Vandalizing Shan traditional instruments like drums and gongs at Namnan Village in Homalin Township in Sagaing Region by the Kachin Independence Army and the People's Defence Forces amounted to insulting and oppressing all Shan peoples, said a statement issued by the Shanni National Unity Association on 1st February.

At 10.10 am on 19th November, 2022, the traditional instruments were vandalized by joint forces of the KIA and the PDF while they were fighting with the Shanni National Army.

CNI News

4 Feb 2023

Rice prices in the domestic market have increased by significant amounts ranging from MMK 5,000 to MMK 10,000 per bag, according to the sources in the rice market.

The rise in rice prices is attributed to the export demand, low stocks for domestic consumption and increases in rough rice prices.

Price rises for rough rice prompted the prices of fine grain rice like Shwebo Pawhsan and Ayeyarwady Pawhsan to follow suit, Secretary U Than Oo of the Bayintnaung Rice Exchange told the CNI.

He said, "Rice price rose by MMK 4,000 per bag in the middle of January. Exporters were buying rice to meet their targets while the prices of rice for domestic consumption rose in small towns. Rice stock is running low because monsoon paddy has been sold out and summer paddy has not been harvested. Those who stored rice have sold out their stocks as they got higher prices. As a result, exporters were forced to pay higher prices and rice prices have risen by significant amounts ranging from MMI 5,000 to MMK 10,000 per bag. The prices of rough rice have risen by MMK 5,000 per bag while that of Pawhsan rice have increased by MMK 10,000 per bag."

Rice being sold at a shop

As rice prices are rising, the public has not hoarded rice and retailers have kept their stock low.

As rice is the staple food in Myanmar, its prices cannot be raised like other commodities because it would place a burden on consumers, Secretary U Aung Myint of the Myanmar Rice Merchants Association told the CNI.

He said, "It is beneficial for farmers but consumers but higher rice prices will place a burden on consumers. Rice prices cannot rise in the same way as gold, foreign currencies and fuel because it is the staple food of the country."

Currently, rice supply to the Bayintnaung Rice Exchange has decreased from 80,000 bags per day previously to only 30,000 bags per day, according to the rice exchange.

Rice being sold at a shop

Secretary U Than Oo of the Bayintnaung Rice Exchange told the CNI, "Local rice merchants raised prices after Shwebo rice prices rose in the earlier days. However, consumers do not buy rice at high prices. Everyone has been struggling to meet both ends and are forced to buy just enough rice to eat for a few days. So, the demand is low and prices are not likely to rise further. However, rice prices are higher at present this year than they were during the same period previous year.

Due to low stocks of monsoon paddy while summer paddy cannot be harvested, rice prices are likely to remain high at the current prices, according to rice merchants.

Amid high domestic rice prices, exporters who have signed contracts with importers are suffering losses and have been advised to ship rice to importers only after summer paddy has been harvested.

CNI News

4 Feb 2023

Some political parties are preparing to re-register within 60 days after enactment of the new political parties registration law.

The Shan Nationalities Democratic Party is re-registering within two months to take part in the general election, Chairman U Sai Aik Paung of the party told the CNI.

He said, "We will register our party within two months or 60 days and we have time to do so until the end of March."

As the new political party registration law enacted by the State Administration Council has created difficulty for their political party and they haven't decided whether to re-register their party or not, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

The flag of the SNDP (White Tiger) party.

He said, "We haven't discussed the matter yet. I will be able to confirm whether we will re-register our party or not only after we have discussed it in our party.

Section 25 of the law requires political parties to re-register with the commission within 60 days in accordance with the law and its rules and those failing to do so shall be deemed to cease to exist spontaneously, according to the SAC.

A recent meeting of the central executive committee of the Mon Unity Party was in favour of re-registration but it was still necessary to seek the approval of the central committee of the party, Spokesperson Naing Than Shwe told the CNI.

He said, "Our party is in a position to register but we still need to seek the approval of the central committee. The central executive committee is in favour of registration. After holding negotiations with the central committee, we may decide to re-register our party if we think we should do so."

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing holds talks with political parties.

They would contest elections under any government in the interests of their nationalities and areas, Patron U Shwe Min of the Lisu National Development Party (Crossbow) party told the CNI.

He said, "Our LNDP will contest any election held under any government and any election commission because we have formed our party to contest elections. We will hold political dialogue in our national and regional interests through various ways and means. So, we will contest elections and take part in political dialogue."

The SAC chairman has promised to hold a general election in August this year and to transfer state power to the winning party.

CNI News

3 Feb 2023

As ancient antiques in Bagan Ancient Heritage Site like bells, Buddah images and mural paintings have been stolen frequently, security measures should be taken effectively in respective areas, according to local residents.

Currently, the security situation has worsened in Bagan and if the situation continues, more antiques will be stolen in Bagan, U Myo Set San, a local resident of Bagan, told the CNI.

He said, "There used to be thefts of head of stupas and mural paintings in the successive eras. As religious objects, which are highly valued by Myanmar people, are being stolen, it is inappropriate. Security should be tightened as religious objects are stolen frequently. They launch investigations only after the thieves have gotten away. They should assign patrols and security guards at pagodas and respective areas. More security measures should be taken for more important pagodas among more than 3,000 pagodas. Otherwise, more antiques will be stolen."

The Alodawpyae Pagoda.

In January, 2023, bells donated by present day donors at some pagodas were stolen.

The stolen bells included the biggest bell from the Min O Chantha Pagoda and those from the Shin Pin Pwint Lin pagoda, Shwe Chanthar Pagoda and Tharyar Wade Pagoda.

In April last year, stupas and mural paintings from Pagoda Nos. 716 and 418 were stolen but authorities managed to arrest the thief.

The thief was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to the Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch).

It was reported that there were only a few security staff for heritage in Bagan including about 30 staff from the Department of Archaeology and another 30 personnel from the local police force.

Plans were being drawn to prevent thefts of antiques in Bagan together with security forces and local residents were required to report to authorities at real time if something suspicious was found, Director U Kyaw Myo Win of the DANM (Bagan) told the CNI.

An ancient pagoda in Bagan.

He said, "We have only 30 staff while the local police force has about the same number of security personnel. We are forced to protect more than 3,000 pagodas with fewer than 100 staff. It is almost impossible to protect the pagodas. We need to cooperate with local residents to raise the awareness of conservation of antiques and to combat drug abuse and gambling. According to the latest statistics, there are 3,837 pagodas in Bagan scattering in Bagan. We are drawing plans to prevent thefts of antiques together with security forces. On the other hand, local residents are required to report suspicious activities to us in real time."

As security forces in Bagan were understaffed, it was necessary to install CCTV cameras to prevent the thefts of antiques, U Kyaw Myo Win added.

The number of thefts of antiques reportedly increased in 2022.

The increase in thefts of antiques was attributed by experts and local residents to lack of job opportunities, drug abuse and gambling and low awareness of heritage conservation.

Bagan was designated as world heritage on 6th July, 2019 at the 43rd World Heritage Committee Conference held in Baku in Azerbaijan in 2019.

CNI News

3 Feb 2023

In repatriation of Myanmar migrants who have served their prison terms for committing crimes in Thailand, priority has been given to those who bribe authorities, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

The amounts of bribes for early repatriation vary from Baht 4,000 (MMK 300,000) to Baht 10,000 (MMK 800,000) depending on locations of detention centres and individuals and those who cannot afford the bribes are left to remain in detention centres, the labour activists told the CNI.

Executive Director U Htoo Chit of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI, "Due to such practices, Myanmar migrants in a detention centre in Ranong staged protests four or five days ago. Government authorities and labour attaches should take effective measures to repatriate Myanmar migrants who have served their prison terms. They are repatriating those who can bribe them earlier than others. It is difficult to say the amounts exactly. They have to bribe authorities from Bhat 4,000 to Baht 10,000."

Myanmar migrant workers

On 28th January, more than 600 Myanmar migrants in a detention centre in Ranong staged protests, calling for authorities to repariated them to Myanmar and a labour attaché of the Myanmar embassy in Thailand had to hold negotiations with protest leaders.

Some migrants who have served their prison terms have to wait for repatriation as long as six months, according to the labour activists.

Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI, "Migrants have seen that authorities repatriated those who bribed them. They want to go back home. Some migrants have to wait for six-month to almost a year to be repatriated. They are targeting Myanmar migrants because the Myanmar government has neglected the migrants. Labour activists like us have to go to help them. The two governments should cooperate to resolve the issue. Thai authorities do not repatriate migrants who cannot bribe them."

Thai authorities have failed to repatriate some migrants even though the latter have bribed them, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the FED told the CNI.

A detention facility in Thailand

He said, "I don't know how authorities in Mae Sok are handling the issue. In Ranong, migrants who arrived at detention centres earlier are repatriated first. However, Thai authorities have to send the lists of people to be repatriated to Myanmar authorities and send migrants to Tanintharyi Region.

Myanmar authorities cannot support the migrants in detention centres in Thailand. It is said that some migrants have to bribe authorities to be repatriated but authorities fail to repatriate the migrants."

In repatriation of Myanmar migrants who have served their prison terms, Thai authorities have to repatriate limited numbers of them because of the outbreak of COVID-19.

A large number of Myanmar migrants have been kept in overcrowded detention centres and they are encountering mental and health issues, according to labour activists.

CNI News

3 Feb 2023

As the National Defence and Security Council has extended the duration of the state of emergency declared by the State Administration Council by six months and the SAC has made reshuffles, the political circle has been debating about potential changes.

There would be no substantial changes despite the extension of the state of emergency and the situation of the country during the seizure of power by the SAC was normal. It was necessary to netotiate with relevant stakeholders to bring about changes, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

The NUG and the PDF.

He told the CNI, "They had to extend the state of emergency because nothing has changed. According to reports at the meeting of the National Defence and Security Council, the situation of the country is not normal. So, the situation of the country was normal before the coup. So, it is a negative change. They have extended the emergency because nothing has changed."

The duration of the state of emergency was extended by six months in accordance with section 425 of the constitution and the state power was transferred to the commander-in-chief of defence services in accordance with section 419 of the constitution, according to the announcement of the NDSC.

No political changes were likely to take place during the extended duration of the emergency, Chairman U Sein Win of the National United Democratic Party told the CNI.

A demonstration calling for democracy.

He said, "No political changes are likely to take place during the extended duration of emergency because the new political parties registration law creates difficulties. On the other hand, local stability is deteriorating and the opposition is likely to become stronger. As the SAC has assumed the state power for another six months, trust on it will be weaker as usual. Under such circumstances, no parties will give in to the pressure of the other and both will do as they wish."

As no changes are likely to take place during the extended six-month duration of emergency, the emergency will have to be extended again when the current duration has expired, according to observers.

CNI News

2 Feb 2023

The gross domestic product (GDP) of Myanmar is expected to rise by 3 percent in 2023, according to a report released on 30th January by the World Bank.

The expected growth is attributed to restoration of stability in some areas to resume farming, focus on the manufacturing sector and reopening of border gates, an economic observer told the CNI.

He said, "I think the projection is based on trade and exports. Another factor is the GDP is calculated on data from the previous year, which were desperately bad for the economy. The economy has become a little more stable than the previous year. As the stability has been restored in some areas, they think the government will be able to give more emphasis on agriculture and manufacturing. So, they estimated the growth at 3 percent. China has almost fully reopened its borders. Last year, the border trade with China fell to its lowest level. China is the largest importer of Myanmar products but Thailand surpassed it last year."

Two women waiting for a ship

The Department of Agriculture sold fertilizers to farmers on credit for the current summer paddy cultivation season, according to farmers.

If the government supplies enough fertilizers, cultivation of monsoon paddy will increase and yields will be boosted, Chairman U Thein Aung of the Farmers Development Association told the CNI.

He said, "The government could not provide enough support. It offered MMK 200,000 for inputs for one acre of farm. As a bag of fertilizer cost MMK 100,000, farmers could buy 2 bags of fertilizers. I have 23 acres of farmland and I received 70 bags of fertilizer. In the past, I had to borrow MMK 7 million from private lenders. If I could not borrow the money, I could not feed sufficient fertilizers to my crops. Now, I have received enough fertilizer and I don't need to worry about it. If we receive enough fertilizer, yields could be boosted."

However, the GDP is expected to increase, the GDP shrank by 18 percent during the year of political changes, the economy has still shrunk 13 percent compared with the GDP of the year 2020, an economic observer told the CNI.

Transporting bananas

He said, "It is necessary to take the GDPs for each year from the year 2020. Compared with 2020, the GDP dropped by 18 percent in 2021 and rose by 2 percent in 2022. So, the GDP still dropped by 13 percent."

Moreover, economic uncertainty, conflicts and power outages will hamper the short term economic revival and uncertainties in 2023 make it difficult to predict the economy precisely.

World food production in 2023 is likely to fall and commodity prices are likely to rise, economic observers said.

Higher prices for exports of Myanmar due to rising commodity prices are likely to raise the GDP of Myanmar further, economic observers said.

CNI News

2 Feb 2023

To defend the rights of Myanmar migrants who are working abroad through agencies, the Ministry of Labour will hold talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue passports for them, Permanent Secretary U Nyunt Win of the Labour Ministry told the CNI.

He added that the ministry was exerting efforts to defend the rights of workers at its best.

He said, "The ministry is reviewing the overseas employment agencies which have been blacklisted in cooperation with the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation. If they are found to have committed minor offences, we will appeal for them to the Ministry of Home Affairs so that Myanmar migrants who were trying to go abroad with the help of them do not lose their rights and costs they incurred. We are working as much as we can so that workers will not lose their rights."

Currently, the ministry has submitted to the home ministry the list of workers who will apply for passports to work abroad through agencies except 133 agencies which were blacklisted by the home ministry.

Among the workers are those who go abroad to work under the MOU between the two countries as well as those who are trying to work abroad through agencies.

Although it is still difficult to say when the passports will be issued, the home ministry will issue passports for them after processing the application forms, the labour ministry said.

 People waiting to apply for passports.

The issuance of passports in all passport offices in the entire country has been suspended for an unlimited period since the end of 2022.

Suspension of passport issuance could force workers who intended to work legally to choose illegal means to go abroad, Executive Director U Htoo Chit of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

He added that suspension of passport issuance for an unlimited period is something that no country should do.

U Htoo Chit said, "No government should suspend passport issuance for an unlimited period because it amounts to forcing workers to go abroad illegally. No government should take such measures. Instead of helping workers who are trying to go abroad, authorities are causing delays and forcing them to incur high costs to get passports, which is a right of citizens. They are doing what they should not do by controlling passports of citizens and causing delays. They will not be able to do that for a long time and will have to issue passports one day."

He added that a government should take proper measures to help workers to go abroad, U Htoo Chit added.

Social media posts said that passport issuance would resume at the end of January but passport offices have not reopened so far.

Some observers suggested that closing the passport offices for an unlimited period was due to introducing new systems, political and security issues and brain drain problems.