CNI News

7 Oct 2022

The military junta seems to be wary of establishing a stronghold by the United League of Arakan/Arakan on the Bangladesh border, Col Khun Okkar, an EAO leader, told the CNI.

As the junta cannot allow the AA to establish a stronghold in the same way as the United Wa State Army did on the Chinese border, fighting between the two sides might intensify, he added.

He told the CNI, “Fighting between them might further intensify. The military may use its navy and air force and clashes may be fiercer. Both sides will not allow each other to get a foothold in the state. Rakhine people will suffer losses. As the Wa has established its headquarters on the Chinese border for more than 30 years, it is difficult for the military to fight them back. So, Nay Pyi Taw will not allow such a situation on the Bangladesh border and fighting between them will intensify. Eventually, the side which has more bargaining power will be able to do what it wants.”

IDPs in Rakhine State.

AA Chief-of-Staff Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing once said they want to achieve self-administrative status similar to Wa Self-Administered Zone in Shan State.

The ULA/AA is enjoying increasing public support in Rakhine State and armed clashes have broken out between the AA and the military junta.

Two-year long informal ceasefire between the AA and the junta collapsed last August and fighting has resumed in Rakhine State since then.

Lists of IDPs issued by the AA.

Armed clashes in the state have displaced local residents and more people will be displaced by fierce battles, Political Bureau Member U Tun Aung Kyaw of the Arakan National Party, told the CNI.

U Tun Aung Kyaw said, “Residents from many villages have fled because they fear for their lives especially in Maungdaw, Rathedaung and Buthidaung townships. If fighting between them intensifies, the number of internally displaced persons will increase and they will suffer more troubles due to travel restrictions. They will have to live without shelter and food. We have already heard such reports.”

The number of IDPs in Rakhine State increased by 6,167 during the fighting in August and September due to fighting between the AA and the military, according to the AA.

CNI News

7 Oct 2022

Easing COVID-19 restrictions imposed since the first outbreak of the pandemic by Thai authorities bodes well for Myanmar migrant workers, labour activists told the CNI.

Thai authorities announced that all COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted as of 1st October.

U Ba Yee, an official from the Migrant Workers Rights Network, told the CNI, “It is easier for migrant workers to travel from one place to another. They are no longer required to take COVID tests. In the past, Myanmar migrant workers had to show test results which was taken within the last 24 hours and vaccine certificates. So, it is much easier for migrant workers to travel from one place to another. It brings benefits for workers at their workplaces as well.”

In the past, Myanmar migrant workers faced difficulties in travelling from one town to another and were even extorted by the police, who took advantage of the restrictions. Therefore, lifting the restrictions can reduce such problems for Myanmar migrant workers, according to labour activists.

  A worksite in Thailand.

With the restrictions lifted, Myanmar migrant workers can change jobs easily and better job opportunities are currently available in tourism-related businesses.

U Min Oo, a labour activist from the Foundation for Education and Development, told the CNI, “Thailand has reopened its economy and job opportunities have increased. Moreover, the travel season started in October and has set the target of receiving one billion tourists before the end of the year. It has already received about six million at present and authorities are trying very hard. So, job opportunities have significantly increased. Our migrant workers can get jobs. Moreover, lifting the restrictions helps them get jobs easily. It is beneficial for Myanmar migrant workers.”

Although the restrictions have been lifted, Myanmar migrant workers who want to return to Myanmar have faced difficulties as Thai authorities have not reopened the border with Myanmar.
Migrant workers who have more than six months of passport valid term can return by air but those who with passports valid term less than six months are not allowed to do so.

Thai immigration officials checking passports.

Therefore, some Myanmar migrant workers chose to be arrested by authorities and paid fines to go back home or sneak back into Myanmar by crossing the Taungyin River.

Ko Thar Gyi, a labour activist for Myanmar Migrant workers, told the CNI, “People linked with authorities from both sides are ferrying migrant workers back to Myanmar by asking for Baht 3,000 to Baht 4,500 per person. In the past, when they crossed the river, they needed to pay only Baht 20. When they arrive at the other bank, they can go back home directly. If they were arrested and repatriated by Thai authorities, they could be detained from one to three days or could be sent to quarantine centres by Myanmar authorities.”

Labour activists in Thailand have called for Myanmar nationals to work in Thailand officially instead of resorting to illegally enter Thailand.

CNI News

7 Oct 2022

The Rakhine State Administration Council has asked internally displaced persons in Kyauktaw Township in Rakhine State to return home, promising travel allowances and food aids, according to IDPs in the township.

Officials from the township administration department sent for in-charges of IDP camps in Kyauktaw Township and told them that the government would pay MMK 100,000 travel allowances and food for one month for an IDP family who wanted to return home, an official from the Yahta Butar IDP camp told the CNI.

He said, “The township SAC has told us to return home. They said they would give MMK 100,000 travel allowances, 17 relief items and food for one month. If we refuse to return home, they said they would cut off all aid to us from NGOs and INGOs.”

 Rakhine IDPs.

There are 11 IDP camps in Kyauktaw Township supported by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and international non-governmental organizations.

However, the ministry has stopped delivering aid for six months and INGOs were not able to distribute aid for one month. Therefore, camp residents have to rely on rice donated by the Nippon Foundation three months ago, according to camp residents.

Since then, camp residents have to live on picking bamboo shoots and taking odd jobs like bricklaying.

As they have been displaced for nearly three years and their houses were burnt down, it is necessary for authorities to rebuild their houses and to clear landmines in their areas, IDP Ma Oo Moe Nwe told the CNI.

   The list of IDPs issued by the AA.

She said, “It is impossible for us to go back because armed clashes are still breaking out. Fierce fighting is taking place on our way back. Heavy weapons rounds are falling into villages. The most important is to clear landmines along the route. Secondly, villagers have lost their houses. They should clear landmines and build houses first because the whole village was destroyed. We need schools and business opportunities.”

Currently, fighting has resumed between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military in northern Rakhine State and Paletwa in Chin State, increasing the number of IDPs by 6,167 in the area, according to the AA.

Armed clashes between the AA and Myanmar military during the period between 2018 and November, 2020, and current resumption of battles between them have already displaced 82,419 people in 150 IDP camps, according to the AA.

CNI News

6 Oct 2022

Ethnic groups have played a vital role in the Spring Revolution victory led by the National Unity Government, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

Ethnic armed organizations have played an important role in political developments while the Communist Party of Burma and the All Burma Student Democratic Front had to build their bases in areas of ethnic groups, he added.

U Pe Than told CNI, “Whenever the country faced a political crisis, dissidents had to take shelter in areas controlled by EAOs. In 1988, students had to flee to areas controlled by EAOs and established the ABSDF to fight the junta. Now, a large number of People’s Defence Forces have built their bases in areas of EAOs and are cooperating with them. PDFs in non-ethnic areas have to struggle through their own ways and means. So, EAOs will continue to play a significant part in the Spring Revolution victory. After the victory of the revolution, it will be important to address the ethnic issues. How will the NUG and the NUCC guarantee ethnic rights? Currently, they can pay lip service only. However, how they will treat ethnic issues is important.”

Members of the National Unity Consultative Council.

Ethnic groups had high expectations in the National League for Democracy but the party failed to live up to the expectations.  The civil war will continue as long as ethnic issues are not addressed, he added.

At present, EAOs fall into three groups such as supporters of political means, neutrals and supporters of armed struggle, Col Khun Okkar, an EAO leader, told the CNI.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing meets leaders of the UWSA, the NDAA and the SSPP.

Col Khun Okkar said, “Members of the northern alliance do not sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement nor involve in fighting and enjoy their rights in areas under their control. Those from southern groups are cooperating with the opposition forces and fighting the junta. So, EAOs are not united. If they are united, both sides will listen to their voices. Otherwise, their influence and roles will be lost. We will have to admit it.”

NCA signatory EAOs are providing protection to the public under the NCA, he added.

After the military coup on 1^st February, 2021, youths, students, NLD members and activists took shelter in EAO areas and established PDFs to fight the junta.

CNI News

6 Oct 2022

Plans are underway to organize the Ngapali Autumn Festival at the Ngapali Beach in Thandwe Township in Rakhine State, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

Hotels in Ngapali are preparing to provide services to visitors for the festival, Director U Tin Tun Aung of Rakhine State Hotels and Tourism Department told the CNI.

U Tin Tun Aung said, “We are making arrangements for the festival in November as we did last year. Last year, we held the festival on 14th November. I think the festival will be organized during the same period. In October, the rainy season has not ended. As the Ngapali is a major tour destination, hotels in the region are preparing services to the guests. During the rainy season, there were only a few guests.”

A sand pagoda.

The festival is usually held for five days and includes events such as market fairs, Rakhine traditional wrestling, volleyball, bicycle, running, climbing oiled posts, tug of war and sand pagoda designs.

Authorities are preparing for health and safety issues of visitors and services for them, according to officials of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

Although the Ngapali Beach is relatively stable in comparison with other areas in the state, fighting has flared in other parts of the state, authorities are required to guarantee the security of the visitors, Managing Director U Thet Lwin of the Myanmar Voyages International Tourism told the CNI.

 A sculpture of a fish made in the sand.

He said, “It is difficult to predict the situation precisely because Rakhine State is not a government-controlled area. However, unlike the northern Rakhine State, Ngapali is located in the southern state. However, it is too difficult to predict what will happen to the state. Everyone whether they are domestic or foreign tourists, should be careful. If something undesirable happens to the visitors, the image of the country will be tarnished. I think everyone should be cautious.”

As there were so many visitors to the festival last year, hoteliers have expected that there will be many visitors during the festival.

CNI News

5 October 2022

Remittance of salaries by Myanmar workers abroad to their families can bring benefits not only to the country but also to Myanmar workers abroad, Permanent Secretary U Nyunt Win of the Ministry of Labour told the CNI.

Myanmar workers abroad are entitled to enjoy tax exemption if they can provide evidence of remitting salaries to their families through designated banks, he told the CNI.

He said, “If they remit their salaries to their families through designated banks, the remittances are incomes they legally earn. So, they can keep the remittance receipts and apply for tax exemption when they buy immovable property. If they remit their pay through the illegal hundi system, they will have to pay taxes. It is said that the government is desperately trying to receive foreign currencies but on the other hand, it is beneficial not only for the country but also for Myanmar workers abroad. As they contribute to the interests of the country, they can take pride in themselves. When they buy immovable property like land plots and apartments, they can enjoy tax exemption by submitting the remittance receipts. It is also beneficial for them.”

The SAC should try to restore public trust first if it intends to force Myanmar workers abroad to remit a certain amount of their money through designated banks, Ko Moe Lay, a Myanmar migrant worker in Thailand, told the CNI.

A site of the fishery industry.

He said, “Frankly speaking, no one has trust in the government at present. So, the SAC must try to restore public trust in it. If they have trust in the government, they will remit their money through the designated banks. If you ask me if I want to remit my money to Myanmar through the official channels, I will have to remit my money to Myanmar when the country has a trustworthy government. If I remit my money through the official channels, they will ask for NRCs and addresses and charge higher service fees than before whether the remittances are made through designated banks or Wave Money. We don’t see any benefits for us in it.”

Currently, the government is holding discussions over the amount migrant workers are required to remit through official channels and nothing has been approved.

A present, most Myanmar workers abroad do not use official remittance channels and rely on unofficial channels.

Banknotes of Myanmar and US dollars. 

Permanent Secretary U Nyunt Win said, “People are talking about the move as if it were a new system. It can also contribute to the interests of the country and it is safe. Myanmar workers abroad are currently using the hundi system, which comes to them, as they cannot go to banks. As hundi system is easy to use, workers are relying on the system. Hundi businesses, which have controlled the largest market share in the market for many years, are worried about the situation. They are not pleased with the decision of the government.”

It was also said that awareness-raising campaigns will be launched among Myanmar workers abroad.

Remittance restrictions will be imposed on Myanmar workers whether they are working abroad through overseas employment agencies or on their own arrangement.

A large number of young men in Myanmar are working in other countries including Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Dubai.

CNI News

5 Oct 2022

The SAC chairman said that efforts must be exerted to make the upcoming election free and fair.

He said at a meeting with entrepreneurs of small and medium businesses in Pyay that he had to assume the responsibilities of the state due to irregularities in the 2020 elections, which were held despite the calls to postpone them due to COVID-19.

Snr Gen said, “Economic downturn caused by irregularities in the elections and political consequences and violence can be overcome with the cooperation of the government, the people and the Tatmadaw. As voting irregularities led to the current situation, it is necessary to exert efforts to make the upcoming elections free and fair.”

The elections held by the SAC will never be free nor fair, Advocate U Kyee Myint told the CNI.

A woman casts her vote during the 2020 general elections. (GETTY IMAGES)

He said, “If leaders of the NUG, forces of the Spring Revolution and EAOs fail to put effective pressure on the SAC, it will hold the elections without fail because it is their exit and lifesaver. It is the best exit for them to trick the international community, to save their lives and to cling to power. So, they will surely hold the elections forcefully  regardless of whatever would happen to the public or whether the public and international community trust them or not.

Holding elections requires an environment for voters to cast their votes safely and independently, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

He said, “It is important that voters can cast their votes safely and independently. So, such an environment must be created first. Otherwise, the consequences of the election will be questionable.”

His party has yet to prepare for the elections to be held by the SAC, he added.

The SAC chairman said the council would hold elections in 2023 and would transfer power to the winning party. 

CNI News

5 Oct 2022

The government is considering the amounts to be officially remitted to families by Myanmar workers in other countries, Permanent Secretary U Nyunt Win of the Ministry of Labour told the CNI.

He said, “It is a normal practice for migrant workers in the international community to remit their salaries back to their families through official channels. Successive governments failed to enforce the practice effectively and allowed Myanmar workers in other countries to do anything they like with their money. Actually, it is not something new. For example, the Philippines send a large number of workers to other countries. What I want to highlight is that we are just considering the enforcement of an international practice. We are still discussing the time to introduce the practice and the percentage of salaries to be remitted officially.”

The program covers workers who are going abroad under MOUs with respective countries, those who work abroad through overseas employment agencies and those who are working abroad under their own arrangements.

 Inside a garment factory.

Myanmar migrants are working not only in Thailand but also in other countries.

The minimum amount of salary to be remitted officially to families is still under discussions, said Permanent Secretary U Nyunt Win of the Ministry of Labour.

He told the CNI, “It is too early to say how to set the rate precisely because everything is still under discussion. There are many options. It may be set by percentage or under agreements with individuals because some people are working through agencies while others are doing so under their own arrangements like chefs, pilots, air hostesses, doctors, nurses, IT experts and so on. The program must cover all of them. It must be fair and acceptable to all.”

Overseas employment agencies said they had not received any instructions over the issue.

  Inside a sawmill.

The government might be considering the issue as it desperately needs foreign currencies, Ko Nay Oo from an overseas employment agency told the CNI.

He said, “Some do not remit any money to their families while others send their money back to their families through the hundi system, which offers market exchange rates. They can remit their money through official banks but the private banks use the official exchange rate. If they offer market rates, workers abroad can send their money back to their families through banks. This will channel their foreign currencies into the banking system. Some cannot accept this.”

As there is a wide gap between the official exchange rate and the market rates, Myanmar workers in other countries use unofficial remittance services to send their money back to their families.

The Ministry of Labour said it was planning awareness-raising campaigns for Myanmar workers in other countries.

CNI News

4 Oct 2022

Negotiations are underway to launch technical cooperation with Russian ships in fishing in Myanmar waters, according to Myanmar Fisheries Federation.

As fishing boats currently used in Myanmar can catch fish up to the depth of 200 meters under sea, negotiations are being held to apply Russian technologies, which can be applied at the depths of 1,500 meters and 2,500 meters under sea, Vice Chairperson Daw Tow Nanda Tin told the CNI.

She said, “Negotiations focused on deep-sea fishing. Fishing boats in our country can catch up to the depth of 200 meters under sea. So, they cannot catch fish in waters that are deeper than 200 meters. If we can cooperate with Russia in technology, we will be able to catch fish from deeper waters and enhance our catching capacity with technological development.”

A Russian fishing boat.

Myanmar and Russia have reached agreements to cooperate in conducting surveys on stocks of fishery resources in Myanmar waters and other fields. Currently, both sides are discussing rules for cooperation, which is expected to start soon.

Cooperation in deep-sea fishing with Russia will only contribute to the government and is unlikely to have much benefit for coastal fishing and fish breeding, U Khin Maung Aye, an oyster breeder in Kyaukphyu, told the CNI.

He said, “Fish stocks have depleted in coastal areas but deeper parts of the sea are still abundant in fish resources. This will not have any impacts on ordinary people. Most fishing entrepreneurs have to invest as much as MMK 60 million and catch anchovies and cuttle fish with the use of Thai technologies. Even then, fish stocks have depleted in coastal areas. Cooperation in deep-sea fishing with Russia will contribute only to the government and ordinary people in coastal areas will not be able to enjoy much benefit.

A site of the fishing industry.

Currently, Thai technologies are being applied in fish-breeding and fishing in Myanmar. Development of the fishing industry requires not only technologies but also investment and penetration into new markets, according to fishing entrepreneurs.

Myanmar is abundant in fish resources but the country still lacks fishing equipment and technologies. As a result, Myanmar fishing boats can catch fish at the depth of a few meters under sea. By cooperating with Russia in the fishing industry, Myanmar will receive assistance in technologies and equipment, according to the Department of Fisheries and the Myanmar Fisheries Federation.