CNI News

7 June 2024

More and more Myanmar people are being trafficked to foreign countries such as China, Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai, Tibet, Saudi Arabia than ever before, those who helping the people who are trafficked told CNI News. 

The number of human trafficking cases handled during the three past years was equal to that of trafficking cases was equal to that of all the previous year round. 

Human trafficking was being committed by compatriots and trustees, Ma Myo Myo Aye who is helping those trafficked, told CNI News.

" The people who were trafficked to China and Dubai have increased. Human traffickers are targeting people from rural areas, who don't get exact information. A compatriot, for example, has arrived in Thailand or China. He or she has connected villagers from the entire village with traffickers. If a worker gets 300,000 kyats per month within Myanmar, a Myanmar worker gets five or seven or ten lakh kyats in the country where he or she has arrived. He or she often repeats that. Those who want to go abroad don't think about it on detail. If they go abroad, they go abroad with the feeling that it will be convenient for them." she said.

While Myanmar people are being checked

After recruitment by saying that workers could get jobs in Singapore and Macao countries, those recruited were sent to Dubai, Oman, Tibet and Saudi Arabia as house maids or domestic workers, according to those who are helping the people who were trafficked.

House maids face sexual assaults by landlords in the countries where they arrived and departments concerned hardly took action against culprits, they said.

Most of the people who were trafficked are ethnic people and people from rural areas, Ko Sai Yu Maung who provides assistance to victims of human trafficking, told CNI News.

" Many Myanmar people are also trafficked to China. All the Myanmar girls across the country - if they want to go to China, they don't have to pay for return flight ticket fee. They will be given 70 lakh kyats. For the time being, traffickers give 10 lakh kyats to the girl's family for their livelihood. The rest money will be given to the girl as soon as she gets to China. It's just a type of selling girls. Both Chinese people and Myanmar people are involved in human trafficking. They don't tell the girls what to work in China in advance. The girls must be wives of Chinese men, I heard. They will stay with Chinese men, but it's not clear how long they will take." he said.

While seeing those who will go to China to work

Types of human trafficking that occurred in Myanmar were forced marriage, forced prostitution, forced servitude, child trafficking and being bound by debt. 

In 2018, Surrogacy was found as a new form of human trafficking, stated in an article to mark Anti-Trafficking Day in 2020.

80.32 percent of human trafficking were trafficked to foreign countries and 50 percent of the people who were trafficked were women and children, said former Home Minister U Soe Htut on the Anti-Trafficking Day in 2022.

CNI News

6 June 2024

Rainfed rice cultivation in Ayeyarwady Region might increase from last year reportedly from the Farmers Development Association. 

Because rainfed rice was being grown in 20 townships including Bogale, Dedaye and Mawlamyine Townships where in the past only summer rice was grown, rainfed rice cultivation area could reach until 3,700,000 acres, U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, told CNI News.

" Rainfed rice cultivation area in Ayeyarwady Region may increase from last year because farmers from the places where only summer rice was grown came to grow rainfed rice. Rainfed rice was being grown in 20 townships at least including Bogale, Dedaye and Mawlamyine Townships where in the past only summer rice was grown. So, rainfed cultivation acres probably will reach until 3,700.000, I think." he said.

Farmers in some townships in Ayeyarwady Region have started ploughing to grow rainfed rice. However, farmers from other townships have not been able to plough because the prices of hand held tractors are skyrocketing.

While a farmer was ploughing

So, rainfed rice cultivation might be late in some townships. Rainfed rice cultivation could save about 200,000 kyats because rainfed rice cultivation doesn't need to use a lot of inputs such as fertilizer and pesticide like the summer rice cultivation does, according to farmers.

However, because gold snails that bite and cut paddy were rampant in some townships, it might cost farmers more for pesticide, U Aye Naing, a farmer from Bogale Township, told CNI News.

Although organizations, associations and companies are providing loans for rainfed rice, just a few farmers draw the loans because the prices of last summer rice were good. The price of coarse rice paddy was 20 lakh kyats per 100 basket, and that of fine rice paddy, 28 to 30 lakh kyats.

CNI News

6 June 2024

The Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) was not involved in attempt to arise Byaing Byu Village tragedy, Major Khaing Thurein from the ALP told CNI News. 

A total of 170 troops from Sittwe-based regionla command headquarters and Pakokku-based military dovision (101), soldiers from other battalions, some troops from the ALP and Muslim troops trained by the Myanmar Tatmadaw blocked around Byaing Byu Village and tortured and killed villagers on 29th May, 2024, stated the AA on 2nd June, 2024.

ALP comrades were under the central control and there were exact entry and exit lists as well and the ALP was not involved in the issue, said Major Khaing Thurein, general secretary of the ALP.

While seeing the AA Force

" We know that the Tatmadaw was doing some inspections at Byaing Byu Village. We were not involved in the inspection. The death toll stated by the AA has been exaggerated. Our comrades are under the central control. We have exact entry and exit lists of divisions, battalions, platoons and all troops. We can firmly say that we have nothing to do with this matter. This is just a political exploitation." he said.

The number of people who were unjustly killed in the incidence of Byaing Byu Village reached until 76 from 29th May to 4th June, reported the AA again on 4th June, 2024. The ALP was investigating the incidence without a bias, Major Khaing Thurein told CNI News.

While seeing the ALP Force

" We are carefully making a list relating to casualties in the incidence without a bias. We have a plan to help victims as able as we can. We'll reveal the truth." he said.

Those who ordered to commit a war crime in Byaing Byu Village, those who implemented the order and all participants from divisions and battalions from the Myanmar Tatmadaw in the crime would be revenged violently, said in the statement released by the AA.

CNI News

5 June 2024

Many workers from domestic garment factories are leaving for foreign countries such as China, Thailand, Malaysia and Laos, according to those who are working on labor issues. 

The reason why they are going abroad to work was because their basic salary or daily wages of Myanmar are much lower than those of other countries and some were legally leaving while others, illegally, Ma Myo Myo Aye who is carrying out for labor affairs, told CNI News.
So, some factories were keeping their workers by raising salary and daily wages, she added.

" Some factories are keeping their workers by raising wages and others are calling workers by raising fees for extension date. Some factories pay 6,800 or 7,000 kyats per day and others don't raise daily wages and pay only 4,800 kyats but raise wages by other means. Some workers choose factories which pay more at the end of a month." she said to CNI News.

When factories within the country are calling recruits as there has been an increase in the number of garment factory workers who go abroad, because young women who have arrived in cities to avoid battles apply for jobs in the factories, factories have not experienced bad scarcity of worker reportedly.

Most workers go to the garment factories in China and the garment factories in Ruili on the Chinese side are calling many Myanmar workers reportedly. 

However, although the Chinese garment factories initially said that they would pay 2,000 yuan per month, workers were underpaid in practice, said philanthropic associations in Muse.

While seeing garment factory workers

When entering the Chinese side, because the number of people who enter the Chinese side with temporary border pass (TBP) were so many that the Chinese authorities are checking more strictly, an official from the Beautiful Heart philanthropic association in Muse, told CNI News.

" Those who enter with TBP whose validity is seven days are strictly checked. If the authorities knew that they entered to work, they are not allowed to enter. I heard that jobs are available there. It's convenient for the people who have red books whose validity is one month. There are also many people who were sent back. Some didn't get salaries while others were arrested." he said.

Although many Myanmar workers used to go to Thailand and Malaysia in the past, this year Myanmar workers are going to the Chinese border and Laos reportedly.

Although there were about 700 CMP factories within the country, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, over 100 factories had to suspend, said U Min Min, Deputy Minister for Commerce in 2023.

CNI News

5 June 2024

14 accused persons who were making foreign exchange rates unstable and doing business of illegal foreign currency trading, including brokers were arrested, reported the State Administration Council (SAC) on 3rd June.

According to those arrested, 11 manipulators who were carrying out behind the scenes to make the foreign exchange rates unstable were absconding, so the SAC issued an arrest warrants on them.

Those who are running away as fugitives are Ba Nyunt from Perfect Green Money Changer, Wunna Tun from Sunflower Money Changer, Khayan Thongwa Gold Shop and illegal foreign currency sellers - Thet Naung Win, Hla Min, Utsman (b) Jack, Tin Ko Oo (b) John, Than Tun Aung, Ye Ko (b) Wai Min Khaung, Ye Min Aung and brokers - Ei Ei Kyaw (b) Ma War and Tin Kyaw Kyaw (b) Arnold.

14 people who have been arrested would be taken action against in accordance with the law and it was carrying out to arrest the fugitives, reported the SAC.

CNI News

5 June 2024

The people within the country who were illegally selling and buying condos in foreign countries have been arrested, reported the State Administration Council (SAC) on 3rd June, 2024. 

U Aung Kyaw Tun, director and U Min Thu Kyaw, general manager of Minn Thu Company that is located in Pazundaung Township, Yangon Region for illegal selling condo apartments in Thailand and transferring money through illegal hundi system. 

However, because U Min Thu Kyaw ran away, the SAC has issued an arrest warrant for him.

Moreover, U Nay Myo Han, U Min Tun and Daw Myat Myat Mon who illegally bought apartments abroad that were sold by Minn Thu Company and transferred money through bank accounts illegally opened at the banks in Thailand without permission from the Central Bank of Myanmar were also arrested.

Those arrested would be effectively taken action against in accordance with the law, stated the SAC. 

It would continue to investigate and identify sellers of condo apartments abroad through online and buyers to take action against them, stated the SAC.

CNI News
4 June 2024

It would be only the Myanmar people who would decide the affairs of Myanmar, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

Efforts to solve internal affairs from foreign countries were only for their interests and whether acceptance or not depended on the people, she added.

" Those who will decide the affairs of Myanmar are the Myanmar people. May be they talked based on their interests. Accepting or not accepting their advice depends on the public. And China is also mediating. They are taking part in solving Myanmar problems for their own good. Only the people will decide the affairs of Myanmar. We, the people have to continue our revolution. EAOs have to reconstruct pretty well in the places they have won. In this way, we have to advance gradually. The people don't seem to listen to Thakson or Hunsen." she said to CNI News.

Former Thai PM Thakson met with delegates from the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the National Unity Government (NUG) last month.

While seeing Chinese Deputy FM and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

Moreover, former Cambodian PM Hunsen requested to allow him to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi while he was meeting and discussing with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC).

However, It had been impossible to let Hunsen meet with DASSK for the time being, responded Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC.

Not only was local strength needed, international participation was also needed, Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson of the 7 EAO Alliance, told CNI News.

While seeing two leaders of two EAOs

" If international community alone will have to solve the problem, it won't be practical. It is also important that domestic elements need to cooperate with heart and soul. But in the situation like this, we need qualified support from international community." he said.

Armed conflicts have been taking place in Myanmar since it gained her independence in 1948 and attempts were being made to solve armed conflict. Because of political disagreements after 1st February, 2021, battles are breaking out more widely across the country.

So, the people are suffering from economic crisis, lack of job opportunity, monetary inflation and territorial insecurity, and some EAOs, some political parties, ASEAN and international organizations are making attempts to help solve the problem.

CNI News

4 June 2024

Brokers from nominal agencies in Malaysia are recruiting foreign workers although Malaysia has suspended recruiting workers from foreign countries including workers from Myanmar, those who are staying in Malaysia told CNI News. 

Malaysia has allowed foreign workers who had been included in the demand letters to apply for visa until the end of April and they were allowed to enter Malaysia until the end of May at the latest. 

So, those who wanted to come and work in Malaysia should not believe the brokers easily, those who are staying in Malaysia told CNI News.

" The Malaysian government hasn't officially announced anything anymore. But some agencies have received being hire to find jobs for foreign workers in advance. They shouldn't do so without the Malaysian government's official announcement because those who want to go to Malaysia have paid advance money, but as Malaysia hasn't officially called recruits, they will probably have to wait a long time." said a Myanmar citizen who is living in Malaysia.

While seeing a factory

So, Myanmar citizens who will go abroad to work should study facts and information and read pieces of news, suggested the people staying in Malaysia. Because the legal foreign workforce was more than needed, it was more difficult for illegal workers to get jobs, U Barbu Gyi who is helping Myanmar citizens in Malaysia, told CNI News.

" Mainly, many contracted workers from Bangladesh arrived at the airport, but the companies that had called them were not able to come and take them away. So, in my opinion, any factory won't call any foreign workers. At present, there are many employers who can't employ legal foreign workers in Malaysia." he said.

There has been an increase in the number of arrests again in Malaysia since May and many illegal Myanmar citizens were also arrested as well.

At present in Malaysia, arrests are being made in even places where no arrests were made before, according to the people staying in Malaysia.

CNI News

4 June 2024

It was necessary to make dollars enter the country more so that monetary inflation, higher price of dollar and scarcity of dollars could be resolved, pointed out businessmen and analysts. 

The reason why Myanmar Kyat is devaluing is because it is hard to buy dollars within the country and the government is carrying out to restrict and control the dollar market.

So, to make the value of Myanmar Kyat rise again, it was necessary to encourage Myanmar migrant workers abroad to officially transfer their foreign currencies to the country. 

Moreover, it was also necessary to encourage exporters without controlling export earning policy and to raise the exchange rate for the foreign currencies to be transferred by the migrant workers, said an anonymous economic analyst.

While seeing Myanmar Kyat and US dollar

" If you look at it from an economic point of view, you need to make more supply of dollars. So, we need to encourage exporters. 35 percent of their export earning should not be exchanged at the rate of 2,100 kyats per dollar by force. Dollars sent by Myanmar workers abroad are exchanged at 3,300 Kyats per dollar. But the market price of dollar has been almost 5,000 kyats per dollar. Any workers won't transfer money to Myanmar. They will send money by hundi and Myanmar Kyat only will be received. Limitation of the price of dollar must be lifted, but the bad point is that the price of dollar will go up a bit and at the same time, the dollar supply will be higher. There are also other effects such that roads and bridges are damaged on the border trade route and a lot of money have to be paid to checkpoints on the way. But controlling the dollar market is wrong. Only if the policy can be changed, will it be convenient." he said.

Because of devaluation of Myanmar Kyat, prices are getting higher and the basic class is facing crises while the prices of gold and dollar are skyrocketing. Although gold shop owners and gold entrepreneurs had been arrested and taken action against to control gold and money price volatility, it wouldn't be effective mainly because new bank notes were being printed, Ko Nay Khant, a gold market analyst, told CNI News.

While seeing a 1,000 kyat note

" We must say it's not effective. The price of Myanmar Kyat is directly proportional to that of gold. On the other hand, new bank notes are ceaselessly being printed. As long as new bank notes are being printed, consider the fluctuations in gold prices as a speculation. It won't be convenient if new bank notes are being printed." he said.

Depreciation of the Myanmar Kyat and monetary inflation continue to occur due to wrong economic policy after 2021 that began the political change. 

The inflation rate has already reached until 35 percent, according to economic analysts.

Decline in domestic production, lack of foreign investment and decline in border trade due to difficult transport are occurring because of political changes.