CNI News

17 June 2024

Because there was an abundance of migrant workers on the Thai-Myanmar border, the Thai employers didn't want to raise wages or salaries, those who are carrying out for the affairs of migrant workers, told CNI News. 

The number of migrant workers has increased by two times than before on the Thai-Myanmar border. 

If the workplace and the number of workers were compared, as the number of workers was more, the Thai employers didn't want to raise wages and salaries, U Moe Kyaw, associate secretary of the Yaung Chi Oo Workers Organization, told CNI News.

" The Thai government has said that it would raise wages and salaries. The Thai trade unions are demanding to raise wages and salaries. It is being discussed at the parliament. But employers on the border don't want to raise wages and salaries because the number of workers is very large." he said.

Myanmar workers who have arrived in the Labor Registration Office in Samut Sakhon District, Thailand (Photo-EPA)

The reason why there has been a sharp increase in the number of workers on the border is because so many people have entered Thailand for many reasons. 

So, financial scandals have arisen because the workers have to make documents for residence permits and security cases.

The reports that migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam have to go to the border to renew their visas and work permit in February, 2025 have come out, according to the people performing the affairs of migrant workers.

If they must renew like that, workers and worker organizations should demand to renew on the Thai side, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Rights Foundation, told CNI News.

While a Myanmar worker in a factory in Pathum Thani City, Thailand was recorded in 2018 (photo- AFP)

" We have always demanded to provide service for all the documents within Thailand only. But if they have to renew their documents on the border, because they will no danger to their lives or other troubles rather than going to their native country to renew, it won't affect in a big way." he said.

After the Thai government approved to issue the Thai pink ID cards to undocumented foreigners, an operation that will last four months is being planned by the Thai government to arrest undocumented foreigners.

So, undocumented people should travel and work with care and should try to get the Thai pink ID cards, suggested the people helping migrant workers.

CNI News

17 June 2024

Because ethnic armed organizations and the Myanmar Tatmadaw are making more military preparations in northern Shan State, locals are worried that battles will resume. 
Battles may resume in northern Shan State and the locals who could afford have fled to safety, a resident of Kyaukme, told CNI News.

" Political and military situations are not good in northern Shan State. Battles can resume. Those who could flee have fled to safety. Those who couldn't flee have to be living in fear. Moreover, locals suffer from higher commodity price." he said.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw is reinforcing forces in northern Shan State and at the same time, the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA) is making preparations for the military affairs reportedly.

While seeing the TNLA

If the TNLA launched an offensive against the Myanmar Tatmadaw, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) probably would join the TNLA and the Myanmar Tatmadaw would be on the defensive condition, a Myanmar political analyst, told CNI News.

" The Myanmar Tatmadaw just can respond as a defensive action. We heard the Tatmadaw is making preparations for offensive, but we have never seen it. The TNLA may launch an offensive and then, the MNDAA might join the TNLA. To tell you the truth, battles can resume. " he said.

Because armed conflicts are breaking out across the country, the public was receiving just a little assistance, battles might resume at any time, said a resident of Kyaukme. 

While seeing the MNDAA

" If they are in trouble, they can't even save each other. when the IDPs came to our region by the thousand, we helped them with food and other things. When our urban areas are unstable, where shall we flee to? When the people from rural areas run towards cities, they have things to depend. Because battles can break out at any time, we find it difficult." he said.

The TNLA and the MNDAA were able to capture many townships in northern Shan State during Operation-1027 that was started on 27th October, 2023 by the Three Brotherhood Alliance.

At the China's mediation, the Haigen ceasefire agreement was reached and then a ceasefire arose in northern Shan State. However, military tensions between the two sides have increased. 

At present, the TNLA is approaching towards Lashio City with a lot of forces and the Myanmar Tatmadaw also excavated the Mandalay-Namtu road and cut the transportation reportedly.

CNI News

17 June 2024

U Zakhung Ting Ying, leader of the Border Guard Force in Kachin State ordered the Kachin Border Force and militias serving in Hsawlaw, Chipwi Townships and Kanpaikti Subtownship to attack and crush down the Kachin Independence Army and Kachin People's Defense Force in a letter issued on 7th June 2024 released by U Zakhung Ting. 

Ying. Commanders of the border guard force battalions 1001, 1002 and 1003 and regional militias have been ordered to decisively attack and crush down the KIA/PDF joint forces who come into to attack, kill and destroy by U Zakhung Ting Ying, chairman of the Special Region-1 of Kachin State, said in the letter.

" As the KIA/PDF joint forces have invaded to destroy the State and the peace and tranquility of the ethnic people's lives, the Border Guard Force and militias serving in Hsaw Law, Chipwi Townships and Kanpaiti Subtownship have been ordered to decisively defense, attack and crush down the KIA/PDF joint forces for every inch." said U Zakhung Ting Ying.

While seeing the statement released by U Zakhung Ting Ying

The BGF and militias must prevent and crush down any enemies who entered their region. The enemies must not be allowed to go back, said in the letter.

At present, the KIA/PDF joint forces enter and are attacking the territories of U Zakhung Ting Ying and trying to control the Kanpaiti border trade. 

And then, U Zakhung Ting Ying's BGF troops and militia are defensing and fighting back against the KIA/PDF joint forces.

U Zakhung Ting Ying seceded from the Burma Communist Party in 1989 and made peace with the Tatmadaw. And then, he established the New Democratic Army – Kachin (NDA-K) and in 2009 the NDA-K was changed into the Border Guard Force.

Hsaw Law, Kanpaiti, Panwa and Sadon that were controlled by U Zakhung Ting Ying were designated as the Kachin State Special Region-1 in 1989.by  the Tatmadaw.

CNI News

17 June 2024

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has not received the instruction regarding the demand of TNLA to intervene and solve the growing problem between the KIA and the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA), Col. Nawbu, information officer of the KIA told CNI News. 

A letter requesting the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) to intervene and resolve the territorial and administrative disputes between the KIA and the TNLA arose.

There has been no instruction from the above about it and they still didn't know it as well, said Col. Nawbu. 

" Our information department hasn't received any instruction from the above. I don't know whether the letter has reached the members of our central committee or they negotiated and discussed with their counterparts. We haven't instructed yet." he said.

While seeing the TNLA and two comrades of the TNLA

The KIA was hindering the Baw Ho Kyant mining activities in Uilaw-Mong Baw region under the management of the TNLA, administrative activities in Mangtong, Namtu and Kutkai regions and trying to operate education and health services for the general public, said in the letter of the TNLA.

Because of the actions of the KIA, several engagements between the KIA troops and the TNLA troops were taking place on the ground, the situation that was difficult to control reached. 

So, the TNLA requested the FPNCC to intervene and resolve the problems between the two sides, said in the letter sent by the TNLA to the FPNCC.

The FPNCC contains the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP), the TNLA, the KIA, the Arakan Army (AA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA).

While seeing two comrades of the TNLA

Although CNI News contacted the TNLA by phone about it, it made no answer. However, the problems had been resolved through political discussions with its ally EAOs and other armed organizations, Lwe Ye Oo, information officer of the TNLA, told CNI News by the end of May.

they have to find a solution through negotiation to avoid conflict, U Aye Maung from the Ta'ang National Party (TNP) told CNI News.

" In my opinion, to find a solution through negotiation is the best to avoid the conflict. As a member of the Hluttaw, I don't want to talk about it thoroughly. We, politicians don't want to comment about military affairs." he said.

The TNLA has captured Mangtong, Nansang, Namkham, Namtu, Kutkai, Mong Ngor and Mong Long Towns after Operation-1027 launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State and is establishing administration.

Territorial and administrative disputes arose widely among armed organizations that are active in northern Shan State and engagements are taking place among them.

The MNDAA, the TNLA, the KIA, the AA, the SSPP, UWSA, the PDFs, militia, the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the border guard force are active in northern Shan State.

CNI News

17 June 2024

Green Season Promotions that can save 20 to 30 percent are being conducted  in areas with low rainfall to make more and more foreign tourists enter Bagan and Mandalay region reportedly. 

July and August during the rainy season are the summer holiday of European countries when families usually travel. 

Although foreign tourists tend to enter Myanmar during the rainy season, currently, tourist arrivals are low. Although promotions were being conducted, it was difficult for several hotels, U Thet Lwin Toe, managing director of the Myanmar Voyages International Tourism, told CNI News.

" It is called Green Tourism. But what is the target market? Although you give a discount, you have to buy fuel. If you have bought generators for electricity, it won't be convenient for you. Because the Myanmar kyat is also inflated, it's very difficult. How many hotels that's been opened are there? Only after reviewing it, should they promote tourism. If I have to review, the situation is still not good this year." he said. 

While seeing pilgrims who have arrived in Bagan

The rainy season is a period of low tourist arrivals to Myanmar. The promotion is conducted to make more and more tourists enter Mandalay and Bagan regions in the central region of Myanmar with low rainfall reportedly.

As an air travel, the flight to the Bagan region was just twice a week and some more flights were needed, said tourism service operators said. 

Moreover, the hotels that have been closed since 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic and then political changes have been closed up to now, Ko Kyaw Swar Lin, a hotel and tourism operator from Bagan-Nyaung U, told CNI News.

While seeing a guide sign in the Bagan region

" Expensive large hotels that target foreigners have been closed since before the Covid-19 pandemic. It's still not convenient to open them now. Normally, it's convenient for reasonably priced hotels and the most lowly priced hotels." he said.

Because now is the time when there has been a decrease in the number of tourists who come to the Bagan region, cars, motorcycles and pony carts there are giving discounts to the tourists reportedly.

CNI News

15 June 2024

When Myanmar nationals went to the Myanmar Embassy in Thailand to carry out documents and other matters, the embassy gave assistance to those who could show evidence of tax payment, the people who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers, told CNI News. 
The embassy should not do so, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Rights Foundation, told CNI News.

" That shouldn't be done at all. Every embassy is responsible to resolve the problems of their citizens. Focusing only on getting money, firstly, Myanmar citizens are asked to pay the tax. The embassy will provide service to other matters only after they can show receipts that they have paid the tax already. This is nothing short of the coercive extortion." he said.

As Myanmar migrant workers in foreign countries, only if they could present tax clearance certificates, could their passports be renewed, stated Myanmar Embassies. 

However, recently not only tax clearance certificates but also receipts describing that 23 percent of basic salary have been transferred to the families are being asked. 

So, some Myanmar migrant workers are asking the philanthropic organizations for help, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), told CNI News.

" Myanmar migrant workers are asking for help. It would be convenient if the companies that issue compensation or social security fund accepted. They largely accept those with letters of recommendation from the embassy. If the workers who haven't paid tax don't get letters of recommendation, It wil depend on the companies that issue compensation." he said.

2023 Taxation Act of the Union was amended by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the provision came into effect from 1st October. 

25 percent of basic salary every month or 25 percent of three salaries every three months must be transferred into the country through legal channels. 

Moreover, income tax must be paid from the salaries of expatriate Myanmar workers depending on foreign currency starting from 1st October.

Income tax from the salaries of expatriate Myanmar workers is beeing calculated and collected in two ways and according to the income tax law, concessions permitted are not deducted and two percent of monthly income in foreign currency must be paid as income tax.

By calculating tax rates according to income strata after deducting concessions permitted under the income tax law, income tax can be paid, stated the Internal Revenue Department.

CNI News

15 June 2024

Although the domestic price of mung bean is currently going up, because of India's demand for pulses and bean, the price could increase anymore, said pulses traders. 

In India, this year's mung bean yield is decreasing and Indian pulses traders have expected that the prices of pulses could go up anymore after the election and are storing pulses and bean in advance reportedly. 

Because Indian bean traders have estimated that during the next four months, India's bean market depends on the Myanmar mung bean, the price of mung bean within Myanmar could go up anymore, U Ne Win Soe, in charge of the Ayeyarwady Region Myanmar Trade Promotion Organization, told CNI News.

" The price of mung bean will go up anymore because the Indian traders have estimated that the prices of pulses and bean will go up anymore after the election and some of them have stored pulses and bean in advance. And the mung bean yield in India decreased this year than expected. Moreover, the demand is also very high. So, the farmers here in Myanmar are selling mung bean little by little in the hope of further price increases. The price is really going up as well. But India's demand for mung bean is so high. They can buy it from Myanmar alone. They have estimated that mung bean market in India depends on the Myanmar mung bean during the coming four. months. No matter how high the price is, a situation in which they must buy it will come during the coming four months." he said.

Although there is an MoU between Myanmar and India in which India will buy 50,000 tons of mung bean from Myanmar at least, India is buying all the mung bean from Myanmar. 

As Myanmar farmers reduced growing mung bean due to the high cost of cultivation, domestic yield of mung bean has decreased. 

Although Myanmar was able to export until 700,000 tons of mung bean to India in the previous years, 500,000 tons only can be exported this year reportedly.

Although the price of mung bean is 110,000 kyat per basket, the price should be higher than the current one in comparison with last year market, Ko Maung Maung Naing, a bean trader, told CNI News.

" In the beginning of the mung bean season, the price was 90,000 kyat per basket. The current price is 110,000 kyat. The price seems to be going up. In fact, the price  should go up anymore. In the previous years, the price reached 80,000 to 90,000 kyats per basket from 35,000 kyats. But we have to watch until December which is the time when the price rises to the highest level." he said.

At present Myanmar has already exported 300,000 tons of mung bean to India and About 200,000 tons of mung beans remain within the country. 

Farmers and traders have expected that the price will go up anymore and are exporting little by little. 

Mung bean is grown Hinthada and Maubin Districts most and it is also grown in Bago Region. Mung bean is exported mainly to India and a small amount of mung bean is exported to China and Korea as well.

Myanmar workers' bank accounts books in Thailand embezzled

CNI News

15 June 2024

Because agents who maintained bank accounts and bank books of Myanmar workers embezzled, the Thai authorities have issued arrest warrants for the Myanmar workers, stated the Myanmar Embassy.

As agents got fees from the gamblers and those who want to launder money and gave them the bank accounts of the workers, a large amount of deposits, withdrawals and savings occurred in the bank accounts of the workers. 

So, the Thai authorities issued arrest warrants for owners, Myanmar citizens, of the bank accounts, said in the statement released by the embassy. 

This kind of case has not been found in the southern part of Thailand; when the workers entrusted their bank accounts books and ATMs to their employers or agents, some workers entrusted by mutual agreement and others were forced to entrust, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development, told CNI News.

Garment factory workers

" We haven't found here any arrests by the authorities about it. Workers should keep their own bank account books by themselves. I don't know how they have kept their bank account books. I wonder whether they have entrusted their bank account books to the companies according to the contract. It might be likely. But it doesn't make sense so much. Fishing workers usually haven't seen their bank account books. Their employers largely tend to keep the books according to an agreement." he said.

Myanmar MoU workers who have held PJ passports have to open bank accounts at the banks arranged by MoU companies when they arrive in Thailand. 

Because the workers don't know thoroughly bank procedures, they have to carry out what some representatives from the MoU companies say and the representatives have kept the bank account books reportedly.

Because of these representatives' embezzlement, Myanmar workers who were owners of the bank account books were issued arrest warrants and detained and some of them were absconding, said in the statement by the embassy.

Fishing workers

Myanmar migrant workers who have arrived in Thailand should not use other people' names when they open bank accounts in Thailand and buy SIM cards there, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Rights Foundation (LRF), told CNI News.

" When you register your phone SIM card, your resume information should be used. And then, when you open your bank account, you have to open with the SIM. But when you you use SIM cards that have already been registered with the names of unknown people, you may face problems." he said.

The Thai Ministry of Labor has approved to issue new Thai pink ID cards to undocumented migrant workers including ones from Myanmar, announced the Thai government on 6th June, 2024.

The undocumented migrant workers who will receive Thai pink ID that will permit to work must be migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam; they must have arrived in Thailand and they must have been working for their employers reportedly.

CNI News

14 June 2024

Good politics are needed to stabilize the prices of gold and money, pointed out gold market and economic analysts. The State Administration Council (SAC) is arresting and taking action against some gold entrepreneurs and money changers, accusing they were carrying out to make the prices of gold and foreign currencies unstable.

Although taking action like this could temporarily stabilize the prices of gold and money, only good politics could stabilize the prices in the long run. Moreover, there are too few exports but many imports, a gold market analyst, told CNI News.

" The SAC is desperately in need of dollars for the time being. It might be convenient if the need was filled. In fact, the prices are unstable because politics are not good. Because politics are not good. Just a few products can be exported but at the same time we have to import a lot of goods. Almost all foreign investments have left the country. And it's not easy in practice to replace the dollar. Moreover, there is not much border trading for the time being. Myawaddy, Muse and Ranong only are left." he said.

The SAC has issued arrest warrants for 10 individuals including the owners of Weint Sein, Aung Thamardi, Zwe Htet gold shops, accusing they were carrying out to make the price of gold unstable. 

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties

The SAC identified 21 culprits including brokers and inspecting them, saying they were carrying out to make the price of gold unstable and conducting illegal gold trading, stated the SAC.

If the economy was unstable, the price of money would decline and it could affect the people, U Kwan Gawng Awng Hkam, a Kachin politician, told CNI News.

" When the economy is in turmoil, anything can happen. Economic stability is important. If the economy was unstable, the price of Myanmar kyat would decline. The economy would decline. Mainly, it will affect the people." he said.

A lot of production should be conducted to recover the economy of the country, U Sein Win, former member of the Pyithu Hluttaw, told CNI News.

While seeing the Myawaddy trade zone

" In my opinion, agricultural production of farmers should be promoted a lot. And then the basic public can be pleased with food. Although farmers have to grow, they can't sell their products at a reasonable price. So, the farmers have to be growing without ambition or belief. The instability of the country may lead to a food crisis at last." he said.

Because of battles at present, some border trades have stopped and the country is facing economic decline, devaluation of the Myanmar kyat and territorial instabilities. 

The battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and armed groups in many parts of the country and because of closing border trades every so often, the public is facing economic decline, devaluation of the Myanmar kyat and higher commodity price.