CNI News

28 Jan 2023

Renewing identity documents poses a major problem for Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand have faced more problems in renewing their identity documents than in their workplaces, and are forced to pay large sums of money for renewing their documents, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

Labour activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI,"The main problem in renewing identity documents is costs. Migrant workers are in deep trouble for their documents. If they have large families, it is more difficult for them. They have to spend tens of thousands of Baht or at least Baht 15,000 to renew their documents. As it is time to renew their documents, they have to spend a large proportion of their incomes for the renewals. It is difficult for them to renew their documents by themselves, they have to rely on agents. As a result, it costs more money for them and sometimes they are cheated out of their money. As commodity prices are rising on a daily basis. Some employers offer advances to their workers to renew their documents because they understand the situation their workers face. However, some employers take interest in their advances and keep the documents. Therefore, there are problems when their workers want to change jobs.

Migrant workers waiting in queue to renew their passports in front of the Myanmar embassy in Thailand.

Currently, Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand have to renew their documents including passports, certificates of identity, pink cards, work permits and visas.

Moreover, Myanmar workers who came to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries are required to renew their MOU work permits at the end of January.

As a large number of Myanmar migrant workers are renewing their documents, there are some delays, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

Adviser U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI, "If their documents are not valid because authorities are not able to renew them in a timely manner, the workers will face problems. If such documents can be renewed easily by workers themselves, there will be no agents and workers will be able to pay fees set by authorities. As they have to hire agents, they have to pay Baht 10,000 for document renewal which will incur only Baht 4,000 if they could renew them by themselves. If authorities from both countries can adopt sound policies for the workers in cooperation, it will be beneficial for migrant workers."

As the current renewal processes for documents in Thailand is complicated and take a long time, it is difficult for workers to renew their documents by themselves.

As a result, they have to rely on agents, who sometimes cheat them out of their money.

Activists have warned migrant workers not to make advance payments for document renewals.

CNI News

28 Jan 2023

Armed conflicts erupted between the Shanni Nationalities Army and the joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army and the People's Defence Forces in Tawsi Village in Homalin Township in upper Sagaing Region on 27th January.

The KIA and PDF forces launched an attack on the SNA outpost in Tawsi village from 6 am to 11 am, a local resident told the CNI.

He said, "We heard gunshots and heavy weapon fires until 11 am. It was said that a member of the SNA was injured and two personnel from the KIA/PDF were killed during the fighting.

 Homalin.

NSA Spokesperson Lt-Col Sai Aung Mein confirmed that a member of the SNA was injured.

He told the CNI, "Yes, fighting has erupted but I cannot provide details because it is difficult to contact our troops. One of our troops was injured."

The CNI was not able to verify the casualties during the conflicts independently while the KIA was not available for comments.

Joint forces of the KAI and the PDF attacked an SNA checkpoint in Hsezin Village in Hpakant Township at 4 am on 26th January.

CNI News

27 Jan 2023

Causing injuries and deaths of domestic tourists amid instability while they were travelling is likely to hinder tourism, tourism entrepreneurs and hoteliers told the CNI.

Last year, some pilgrims suffered casualties due to explosions and shooting. While efforts were being made for recovery of domestic tourism, a bus carrying pilgrims to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda was hit by a heavy weapon fire on 25th January, 2023.

If such incidents have tarnished the image of the country in the international community, the situation of the tour industry of Myanmar is likely to be exacerbated, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the Myanmar Tour Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

A passenger bus to Kyaiktiyo Pagoda comes under attack

He said, " The ASEAN tourism fair is going to be organized soon. As the fair is focused on the ASEAN region, Thai tour companies may ask us questions over such incidents and raise concerns. Therefore, Myanmar companies that are participating in the fair will not be able to enjoy as much benefit as they should. We are worried about such issues because Thai citizens account for the largest number of tourists to Myanmar. And then, Chinese tourists are visiting our country soon. Tourists from both countries usually go on pilgrimage to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda. Tourists from Thailand visit Yangon and then continue to the pagoda without fail. The incident will have an impact on such markets, especially on the Thai market."

A heavy weapon round hit a passenger bus carrying pilgrims to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda on 25th January, 2023, killing one passenger and injuring seven others, according to a press release of the True News Information Team of the SAC.

Moreover, three women were killed and 19 others were injured in an armed conflict at the bus terminal at the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda on 12th October, 2022.

Domestic and foreign tourists

Attacks on innocent tourists will tarnish the image of the country and if victims of such attacks were foreign citizens, their countries will take appropriate measures against Myanmar, Chairman U Zaw Zaw of the Shan State North Hoteliers Association told the CNI.

He said, "No country will tolerate when their citizens are in danger in other countries. They will take appropriate measures. Their reactions will vary depending on negotiations between the two countries. The best way is to avoid such incidents. Even when we go abroad, we take our safety into consideration. They will also think in the same way as us. It will be difficult to attract foreign tourists in 2023."

As a result, relevant authorities should take security measures for the most popular domestic tour destinations in the same ways as other countries, according to tour operators and holeliers.

Domestic tourists on U Bein Bridge

A tour operator told the CNI, "There are unsafe destinations all over the world including in India because of car bombs, ambushes and explosions. However, authorities take necessary security measures and tourists continue to visit such destinations. However, the situation is different in our country and such incidents have impacts on tourism."

Although tour operators expected that there will be more foreign tourists in 2023 than the previous year, the incidents do not bode well for tourism.

Although Chinese citizens accounted for the largest number of tourists to Myanmar in the past, Thailand surpassed the country this year.

CNI News

27 Jan 2023

Although transportation of medicines to Rakhine State has been permitted, there are difficulties to transport medicines from Sittwe to other townships, according to medicine merchants and distributors.

Although transportation of medicines from Yangon to Sittwe in Rakhine State has been permitted under the approval of the border and security affairs minister, checkpoints in Rakhine State are asking for permission documents to transport medicines from Sittwe to other townships in Rakhine State, a medicine distributor in Sittwe todl the CNI.

He said, "It is still difficult to travel from Yangon to Sittwe and more difficult to transport medicines from Sittwe to other townships in Rakhine State, especially to Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw and Kyaukphyu. Even if we submit permissions from the border and security affairs minister, they did not allow us to transport medicines to the townships. When a customer from Kyaukphyu places an order to us, we will have to apply for permission from the minister and it takes about two weeks. So, customers place orders in Yangon directly. It is especially difficult to transport medicines to southern Rakhine State."

 A pharmacy in Rakhine State.
As it is difficult to transport medicines from Sittwe to other townships in Rakhine State, medical supplies are being transported from Yangon to some townships in Rakhine State like Mrauk-U and Kyaukphyu.

As transportation of medicines is still difficult in Rakhine State, medicine companies and patients are still encountering problems.

As transportation of medicines from one township to another is still difficult in Rakhine State, medicine prices have not decreased and the public may even face shortages of medicines.

When fighting escalated between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army in July, 2022, some roads and waterways were blocked and transportation of medicines was prohibited.

A pharmacy in Rakhine State.

Then, the two sides reached a ceasefire deal and transportation of medicine has been permitted but still requires the permission of the border and security affairs ministers. However, it takes a long time to get permission from the minister and transportation of medicine are often delayed, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce told the CNI.

He said, "We can transport medicines to Sittwe with the approval of the mnister. However, transportation of medicines to Rakhine State was banned for a long time, and shortages still persist. As permission is granted, medicine prices have started to be stable. However, transportation of medicines is still delayed. Merchants have to wait a few days to get permission to transport medicines.

As transportation of medicines via land routes has to pass through many checkpoints, there are delays and some merchants have chosen flights to do so, according to medicine merchants.

CNI New

27 Jan 2023

The divesting of a Norway fund from a Chinese company and an Indian firm that are selling weapons will have no impact on Myanmar, Director U Thein Tun Oo of the Strategic Studies told the CNI.

The move does not have any impact on relations between the neighbouring countries.

Modi and Xi.

U Thein Tun Oo said, " As the political situation of the world has changed, ties between Asian countries, especially which have common interests, have been stronger. Norway has not been able to have an influence on a country like ours, Norway has no influence on big powers like India and China. There is no significant impacts on ties between neighbouring countries like Myanmar, China and India.

Shares from the Chinese and Indian companies that sell weapons to Myanmar would be divested by the Norway Fund, the Norway Central Bank announced.

Breaking economic ties with the companies supporting the military is to be welcomed but the military will not reverse its course, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

Weapons of the junta.

U Pe Than said, "Breaking ties with companies that support the junta is to be welcomed but the junta will not reverse its course in its own interests. However, it is still difficult for the junta to control the country. It is still difficult to predict whether they will listen to public voice or serve their own interests because it depends on their own decisions.

Norway said the selling weapons to Myanmar by the India and Chinese companies is very dangerous and violates international laws.

Currently, fighting has erupted between the junta and various ethnic armed groups including EAOs and PDFs in Karen State, Kayah (Karenni State), Chin State, Sagaing Region and Magway Region.

CNI News

26 Jan 2023

Although the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration announced that it would no longer allow nominal directors and shareholders in companies, they will not vanish, according to economists.

As people who act as nominal directors conduct company operations in terms of finance and responsibility, it is difficult to scrutinize them, Economic Observer U Thet Zaw told the CNI.

He said, "Authorities issued rules and regulations to prevent scapegoating. If there is a problem in a company, nominal directors will be scapegoats. There are disadvantages caused by nominal directors depending on their involvement. People are taking shortcuts without complying with rules and regulations. However, it is difficult to distinguish between real directors and nominal ones because no one will admit they are nominal directors. Some people act as nominee directors because they get money for doing so while others act as nominal directors because they are responsible to do so. It is difficult to expose them.

A garment factory.

The DICA announced on 17th January that Chapter 18 of the Myanmar Companies Law stipulates regarding the rights and responsibilities of directors, officials and those who direct corporate affairs are considered directors even if the position of the director is not appointed. Additionally, the appointment of alternate directors is allowed under the existing law. Appointing nominal directors is not officially approved.

Prohibition of nominal directors and shareholders will prevent tax evasions and money laundering, according to an economic observer, who requested not to be named.

He told the CNI, "There will be fewer cases of tax evasions and money laundering. However, it is not a regulation in favour of companies but a regulation to protect the government."

 A scene in Yangon.

Companies that hold 35 percent of foreign shares are considered as local companies and those with more than 35 percent of foreign shares are regarded as companies owned by foreigners. However, some foreigners are acting as nominal directors as they want to take more than 35 percent of their company shares, according to entrepreneurs, who think that nominal directors have been banned to protect the rights of citizens.

However, the DICA would need to cooperate with other government departments to take action against nominal directors and just issuing statements will not work, according to economic observers.

CNI News

26 Jan 2023

As armed clashes and explosions frequently rock the Myawady Road, authorities are holding discussions with the Thai ambassador to send workers to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries by air, Permanent Secretary U Nyunt Win of the Ministry of Labour told the CNI.

Currently, MOU workers are sent to Thailand via the Myawady-Mae Sot road and Kawthaung-Ranong road and the former is the most common road to send workers.

 Yangon International Airport

As the Myawady-Mae Sot road, however, is frequently hit by armed clashes and explosions, authorities are discussing a plan to send the workers by air and Thai authorities have agreed to the plan in principle, U Nyunt Win told the CNI.

He said, "The main issue is that the Myawady land route is frequently in trouble. However, we are still discussing the details like the airlines to be operated, passengers for return trips, landing aircrafts at the Don Mueang airport without using the Suvarnabhumi airport. As we use Don Mueang airport, it is difficult to get passengers for the return trips and workers are likely to pay for return trips of aircraft. We will also have to discuss fares with airlines. If costs are not too high, employers are ready to accept the plan because it takes only one hour to fly from Yangon to Bangkok and workers will be able to start their work quickly. We still need to discuss immigration issues as well as fares for the two-trip.

If both sides reach agreement, MOU workers can be sent to Thailand by air anytime whether the land route is hit by armed clashes and explosions.

A gas tanker truck comes under attack on the Myawady-Mae Sot road

Therefore, measures will be taken to send workers to Thailand from the Myawady-Mae Sot road, Kawthaung-Ranong road and by air.

Although workers are sent by air for security reasons, workers will incur higher agency fees than the current rates, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

He pointed out that workers should be sent to Thailand via Kawthaung-Ranong road, which is safer than the Myawady-Mae Sot road.

U Min Oo said, "There are limits in transporting workers by air and many other factors to be considered. For example, there are issues related to documents like work permits and others including vaccine certificates and insurance. Thailand has adopted different policies on foreigners from different countries. It is certain that agency fees will increase. Another factor is that aircraft cannot have a large number of workers aboard one flight. It is difficult to send enough workers to meet the demand by air. Authorities can send a large number of workers via the Kawthaung-Ranong road and they should choose the route. If they send workers by air, they will need a large number of flights."

An explosion in Myawady

Sending MOU workers to Thailand was suspended due to COVID-19 and the program was resumed in May 2022.

However, the Asia Highway from Myawady to Mae Sot, the major route to send workers to Thailand, is frequently hit by armed conflicts and explosions and the program is often suspended.

CNI News

26 Jan 2023

Shanni people should have their own state, Central Counil Member of the Shanni Nationalities Council Say Wun Pha told the CNI.

He said they would demand their lost rights to the current government.

He said, "The aim of forming the SNNC is not only to establish Shanni State or Shanni Self-administered Division. Ours is an organization that will implement projects that will bring development and common goals for the entire Shanni people. We will demand our lost rights and statehood to the current government and then submit our demands to the new union parliament depending on whether the current government agrees to our plans or not. In doing so, we are cooperating with working committees comprising representatives of respective regions."

Shanni sword dance.

Under section 6 of the 1947 constitution, Shanni territories such as Myitkyina, Mohnyin and Bhamaw districts were included in Kachin State despite the rejection from the Shanni people.

Similarly, the remaining Shanni territories like Kalay, Hkamti, Mawlike, Ktathar and Tamu districts were included in Sagaing Region under the 1974 constitution, according to Shanni people.

Shanni people have their own right to form their state but will not be allowed to change geogrophical positions without the consent of Kachin people, Kachin Politician U Kwan Gaung Aung Hkam told the CNI.

He said, "Not only Shanni people but also other ethnic groups are entitled to demand statehood at complete freedom. However, I said at the 2016 peace conference of the Kachin State that I would not accept the changing of the name and geographical positions of the areas without the consent of the Kachin people. I have the same point of view now. Everything must be in accordance with the will of the Kachin people."

The flag of the Shanni people.

Patron U Shwe Min of the Lisu National Development Party told the CNI that he would not support the 8-state solution and Shanni people were demanding their legitimized rights.

He said, "We need to look at the current situation on the ground and review the history, how states emerged and which ethnic groups mainly reside in certain regions. As their areas where their forefathers resided for aeons were designated as territories of other states, we understand how they are suffering. I don't have any other comments on the development of the Shanni people. The emergence of the Shanni State should be stated in the new constitution."

The Shanni people mainly reside in the upper Sagaing Region and Kachin State and as they have the same language and culture, it will not be difficult to unify them, Say Wun Pha said.

Troops of Shanni National Army.

He said, "Our people resided and established city states in the wide areas even before the emergence of Kachin State and Sagaing Region. We are siblings. Although we are included in different regions and states. However, we share the same tradition, language, culture and values. In other words, we have the common desire for self-determination. So, I have never thought of difficultes for establishing our state."

About 1 million Shanni people live in Kachin State and Sagaing Region and they have officially demanded statehood at the 21st Century Panglong Conference.

Shanni National Army is trying to establish Shanni State made up of Mawlike, Kalay, Hkamti, Katha and Tamu districts in Sagaing Regions and  Bhamaw, Myitkyina, Mohnyin and Mokaung districts in Kachin State.

CNI News

25 Jan 2023

Since dates have been announced for application of work permits in Malaysia, the number of arrests against illegal migrants has decreased, according to Myanmar nationals living in Malaysia told the CNI.

Before the announcement for application of Rekalibrasi work permits (RTK), Malaysian authorities intensified the arrests of undocumented workers.

Ma Nyo, who has been living in Malaysia, said, "When authorities intensified the arrests of undocumented workers, their employers have to apply for work permits for them. Now, authorities have announced that they would issue work permits for illegal migrants the number of arrests of illegal migrants has decreased. Now, it has become difficult for workers who have overstayed their visas to find jobs because employers are liable to pay fines if they give jobs to overstaying workers. Now, if employers fail to apply for permits for their workers, their workers will be arrested and they will be fined."

A place to apply for the RTK work permits

Undocumented foreign workers including Myanmar national have been allowed to registered with authorities for application of the RTK work permits between 27th January and 31st December, according to the immigration authorities of Malaysia.

Undocumented workers from 15 countries who have passports and an employer who will give jobs to them have been allowed to apply for RTK work permits.

Although authorities have decreased the arrests of illegal migrant workers, those who are involved in commotions are subject to legal action. As a result, Myanmar national who have been living in Malaysia have urge illegal migrants to apply for work permits.

Hmwar Michael, a Malaysian resident, said, " We want those who have passports to apply for work permits. Although authorities have decreased the arrests of illegal migrants, they are required to apply for work permits because if they have all necessary documents, they are safer. Overstaying workers are subject to arrests at any time. Now, authorities have stopped detaining illegal migrants if they do not receive complaints. Only those who cause commotions or going out late at night in groups or play loud music at night are detained. I think their detention centres and camps have overcrowded with illegal migrants. There are only 11 camps here. There is no problems for those who live peacefully. It is good for illegal migrants to apply for work permits."

Malaysian authorities detaining illegal migrants

Myanmar nationals in Malaysia have urged overstaying migrants to apply for work permits.

Authorities have allowed illegal migrant workers to apply for RTK work permits for eight types of jobs and prohibited them from working in five sectors.

Illegal migrants are permitted for eight types of jobs including manufacturing, construction, mining and quarries, security guards, services, agriculture, plantation and house workers and domestic workers are permitted to work in Malaysia for the first time, according to a statement released by immigration authorities.

Five types of jobs have been prohibited for foreign workers including textile, goldsmith, barber, social welfare and recycling industries.