If ILO imposes economic sanctions on Myanmar, hundreds of thousands of workers may face hardship

CNI News

10 May 2025

Due to reports that the International Labor Organization (ILO) will impose economic sanctions on Myanmar, if the ILO actually do so, hundreds of thousands of workers could face hardship, Secretary of the National Democratic Force Party (NDF) told CNI News.

The ILO usually imposes sanctions on countries that do not comply with the provisions of Article 33, so Myanmar will be scrutinized in June to determine whether it complies with Articles 29, 87, 111, and 138. 

Sanctions will be imposed if violations are found, according to reports circulating among domestic and foreign diplomats.

U Htet Aung Kyaw

“These four articles, Article 33, Article 29, Article 87, Article 111, and Article 138, must be followed. If Myanmar Fails to comply, it will be taken action. There are many workers in the garment industry. If Myanmar is taken action against, about four or five hundred thousand workers can lose their jobs. That's why I hope the government and the Ministry of Labor will handle these issues carefully and diligently." said U Htet Aung Kyaw.

The Central Statistics Office reported that the garment industry earned $994.

1 million in export revenue during the first quarter of the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Myanmar's garment industry is exporting to more than 80 countries, with major exports to Japan, Poland, Spain, Germany, Korea, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, the US, France, Denmark, and Belgium, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

CNI News

10 May 2025

There are ongoing pressures from the SAC and China, and those pressures are affecting the people more than their organization, said Col. Tar Pan La, Joint General Secretary (2) of the TNLA. 

He made the remarks at a press conference held by the TNLA on May 4, 2025.

"The pressure is ongoing, which is having a severe impact on the public. Starting in January 2024, SAC has blocked all routes from lower Myanmar to northern Shan State, and also all routes from northern Shan State to lower Myanmar. It is made in the form of a Four Cuts pattern. (The name Four Cuts refers to the cuts in four types of support: food, funding, information, and recruitment.) This is why the people face difficulties in traveling, trading, and solving food and living problems. In the same way, China also has carried out. As the people living in the Chinese border are making a living based on the border, blocking the border adversely affect the people. Pressures from China and the SAC mainly affect the public." said Col. Tar Pan La.

While seeing the public meeting with the TNLA

The Kokang forces, which had seized Lashio and begun administration, were forced to hand over Lashio to the SAC on April 21, 2025, due to Chinese intervention. 

There are speculations that the TNLA may hand over some of the townships it has captured to the SAC as a result of this incident. Col. Ta Pan La, Joint General Secretary (2) of the TNLA, said that the transfer of Lashio has caused harm to the Ta’ang people.

A comrade of the TNLA

“The Lashio incident has affected our region. In particular, there are Ta’ang people and Ta’ang communities in Lashio. We have also heard that they are affected there.I heard that there are many restrictions on public movement, shopping, buying food, and buying equipment. "he said.

The SAC and the TNLA met to discuss the issue thanks to China's mediation, but the differences in approaches to Myanmar politics between China and the TNLA led to differences in finding solutions, said the TNLA. 

Delegates from the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the TNLA met in Kunming, China, on April 28-29, 2025, but the talks ended without reaching an agreement. The two sides agreed to meet again in August this year.

CNI News

9 May 2025

If they do not accept the elections being prepared by the SAC, they will have to consider whether to cancel them and remain under martial law, the People's Party (PP) chairman U Ko Ko Gyi told CNI News.

Since the SAC has taken power, it is necessary to consider whether or not to accept the election that the SAC will hold; they will have to consider realistically what will happen if they accept it and what will happen if they do not accept it, he said.

"If the 2008 constitution is not accepted, will it be abolished?" If it has been abolished, the 1974 constitution was abolished in 1988 and martial law was imposed until 2010. We need to think about how we will deal with the consequences if we don't accept this. When we founded a political party, we had to accept some things as a matter of course, but not because we liked the current situation. We need to accept and then think of ways to change the situations we don't like. In the current situation, all three powers are in the hands of one person for as long as the state of emergency is declared. We can fight that and eliminate it, that's the revolutionary way. We have been in the revolution for over four years. We have also carried out things for our expectations," said U Ko Ko Gyi.

While seeing those who were casting votes

On February 1, 2021, the Myanmar military ousted the National League for Democracy (NLD) government and declared a state of emergency, claiming that it was attempting to form a government without resolving the 2020 general election voter list dispute. 

Between February 1, 2021 and 2025, the people of Myanmar had to face and overcome many disasters, including war, COVID, floods, storms, and earthquakes; If the people suffer more, they will have to consider whether there will be explosions, he added.

“As a dissenting force, they need to present a broader response than just opposing the election, saying it was unfair. What can we do if we don't oppose the election?

We cancel and don't hold elections. The SAC renews every 6 months. How can we do that? We need to be honest and open with the people about what we will do if we continue to live under martial law after the constitution has been abolished. I would like to urge the public to work together to strengthen non-violent domestic politics," he said.

While seeing political parties and the chairman of the SAC

The general election will be held between December 2025 and January 2026, the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said at a joint press conference with Belarusian President Lukashenko on March 7, 2025. 

The ethnic armed groups and the National Unity Government (NUG) have announced that they will completely disrupt the elections that will be held by the SAC.

However, neighboring countries such as China, Thailand, Laos, India, and Bangladesh support the elections to be held by the SAC and accept that the political crisis in Myanmar can only be overcome through elections. 

If elections cannot be held in Myanmar, the SAC can extend the nationwide state of emergency for six consecutive months, indefinitely.

CNI News

9 May 2025

If talks between the SAC and the Arakan Army (AA) take place, the AA may make higher demands than the “Wa” and Kokang, Colonel Khun Okkar, chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), which signed the NCA, told CNI News.

The AA could mainly demand that the Rakhine State would be governed by the Rakhine State government, he said.

"If there is a dialogue, I think AA can demand more than what the “Wa” and the Kokang ask for because it has already had Rakhine State. It can demand more power and authority because it has seized control of most of the territories in Rakhine State. When it comes to the distribution of natural resources in Rakhine, Rakhine State should take 70 percent and the central government should take 30 percent for example. The AA has reached a point where it can discuss these issues. If the talks agree on both political and financial terms, the AA can cease fire if it wants to. But it doesn't look like he will give up the Rakhine region he has gained. Rakhine has already attained state status, which is higher than the autonomous region. It's a state that can form its own government. The Rakhine State government will govern Rakhine State. But it will share with the Union in some places. But the main thing is that Rakhine State will be governed by the Rakhine State government. One country, two systems.” said Col. Khun Okkar.

While seeing the UWSA

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) governs the areas designated as “Wa” Self-Administered Division under the 2008 constitution, which include six townships in Shan State: Hopan, Mong Maw, Pang Wai, Nar Phan, Matman, and Pang Kham (Pang Sang).

Similarly, the Kokang Force, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has been administering the Kokang Autonomous Region, which includes Laukkai and Kon Kyan in Shan State, after the city of Lashio was handed back to the Tatmadaw through Chinese mediation.

It would not be easy for the AA to achieve a position like the “Wa” without a negotiation process, Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI News.

A crossroads in Rakhine State

"It's much less likely that Rakhine will become what the armed groups hope for. It's not easy (for the AA) to achieve a "Wa" status without a negotiation. The AA is not the same as the Wa. The Wa had been trying to rule its region since 1989. So, they negotiated with Sr-Gen Than Shwe. The Wa region had been a special region before the 2008 Constitution. After the constitution, self-administered division and special regions were enacted. The Wa and Rakhine are different. Rakhine is a state according to the constitution. Before that, there were no negotiations between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and Rakhine armed groups. Can Rakhine become like “Wa” or not?" When the current government considers the constitution, it is difficult for Rakhine to become like the Wa region." he said.

Currently, in collaboration with other armed groups, the AA is fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Ayeyarwady Region, Magway Region, Bago Region, Sagaing Region, Rakhine State, and Chin State.

The AA has stated that it wants to achieve confederation status like the “Wa” at the minimum level and that it has the ambition of establishing an independent territory at the maximum level.

Currently, the AA controls the townships of Thandwe, Gwa, Ann, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Kyauktaw, Punnakyun, Manaung, Pauktaw, Taung Goat, and Myebon in Rakhine State.

CNI News
8 May 2025

U Hla Saw, who was serving as the political director of the Arakan Army (AA), passed away at around 11 p.m. on May 5, 2025, according to his friends.

After the Myanmar Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government, saying because the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute in the 2020 general election, U Oo Hla Saw joined the AA and served as the political director of the Central Political Department of the Arakan Army (ULA/AA).

Before serving as the political director, U Oo Hla Saw served as a Pyithu Hluttaw representative from Mrauk-U constituency, Rakhine State, from 2011 to 2020.

As a politician, U Oo Hla Saw was involved in the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP), and the Arakan National Party (ANP).

Before serving as the political director of the AA in 2022, U Oo Hla Saw was a member of the ANP's policy steering committee.

CNI News

8 May 2025

There are various opinions among military and political observers on the direction of the Arakan Army (AA)'s military ambitions in Myanmar. 

the military objectives of the AA and PDF forces that have arrived outside Rakhine State may be directed towards defense equipment manufacturing factories located on the western bank of the Ayeyarwady River, Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI News.

“The Ayeyarwady offensive will be a show, but the real one is the western side of the Ayeyarwady River where the defense factories are located in the central plains. The Magway and Minbu offensives are more likely to become. The attack on Ayeyarwady Region will be a show, but the real offensive will be to take a foothold in Taung Goat and Ann and head towards the defense factories on the western side of the Ayeyarwady River, such as Setutthaya and Ngaphe. With the Shan-Mann operation failing, it seems they are aiming to launch a continuation of the Shan-Mann operation in Kachin State. In Kachin State, the KIA-PDF joint forces are attacking Bhamo, The resistance groups from Bhamo will meet at the Ayeyarwady River. That's why Bhamo can be the main operation. It seems like the Myanmar Tatmadaw is putting up a strong resistance in Bhamo,” he said.

A crossroads in Rakhine State

Clashes are taking place between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the AA-PDF joint forces on the Pathein-Monywa road in Ayeyarwady Region and the Yangon-Pyi road in Bago Region. 
In addition, clashes are taking place between the AA and the Myanmar Tatmadaw on the Ann-Padan road, which connects the Rakhine Yoma and Magway Region. Similarly, fighting continues in Kyaukphyu Township, Rakhine State, where many Chinese projects are located, and in Chin State, PDFs are collaborating with Chin resistance groups to attack the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

Then, in the battles of Tigyaing, Kawlin, Indaw, and Bhamo in Sagaing Region, the AA is also fighting in collaboration with the KIA-PDF-ABSDF. 

Colonel Khun Ukka, chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Front (PNLO-NCA/S), which signed the NCA, told CNI News that the AA’s attacks on areas such as Ayeyarwady Region, Bago Region, Magway Region, and Chin State are merely a means of preventing counterattacks on areas in Rakhine State it has seized.

Two leaders of the AA

“I believe that the AA is attacking Bago, Ayeyarwady, and Magway Regions for the security of Rakhine, and to guard the opening for counter-offensives to protect Rakhine. If the AA attacks defense factories, will there be security for the territories in the back? Now it's attacking Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, so there's something to think about. However, if the AA gets international and allied support, it could have a bigger military ambition. If it doesn't get them, The AA's attack on the mainland is considered to be a way to build a fence for the security of Rakhine State. So, it's not easy for the Myanmar Tatmadaw to retake Rakhine State because it is preparing for the defense." he said.

The AA has stated that it wants a confederation at the lowest level and has the goal of establishing Rakhine Country at the highest level. 

Currently, the AA has controlled the townships of Thandwe, Gwa, Ann, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Manaung, Pauktaw, Taung Goat, and Myebon in Rakhine State.

CNI News

8 May 2025

The approaches to Myanmar issue between the TNLA, which is waging an armed rebellion, and China, which wants stability in Burma, are different, and the question of how they differ is being raised. 

The TNLA Joint General Secretary (2) Colonel Tar Pan La said at a press conference on May 4 that China and the TNLA have different approaches to Myanmar issue, and therefore different ways of finding solutions.

He said that the current situation is Myanmar politics, so while the people of Myanmar have the main decision-making power, they cannot be isolated from neighboring countries, and China's supervision has also been of great help.

Lt-Gen Ko Ko, delegate of the Myanmar Tatmadaw and Vice Chairman of the TNLA Lt-Gen Tar Joc Jar

" In fact, This is our politics. So, our citizen are the main decision maker. However, we cannot be isolated from our neighbors or the world. So, the Chinese government's involvement, support, and supervision have been very helpful. Here, as the approaches are different, finding ways to solutions is slightly different. The approach of the Myanmar citizens is that the Myanmar Tatmadaw overthrew the democratic government. After the coup, the Tatmadaw unjustly kills and tortures the people, and airstrikes were carried out. The Tatmadaw is carrying out airstrikes. That is why we must overthrow the Tatmadaw , overthrow the military council, and reform our country.But the neighboring country's approach is not like that. So this country needs stability. Their approach may be to make Myanmar stable and peaceful. "That's why the approaches are different, and how to find the solution may be also different." said Col. Tar Pan La.

On April 28-29, 2025, delegates of the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the TNLA met in Kunming, China, but the talks ended without reaching an agreement. As the Myanmar Tatmadaw demanded the TNLA to retreat from Nawng Cho, Kyaukme, Thibaw, Mogok, and Momeik that were occupied by the TNLA, the discussion ended without any agreement. However, the TNLA announced that the two sides have agreed to meet again next August.

While the TNLA flags were being raised

The two sides are currently in a ceasefire until the end of May, but the extent and duration of the ceasefire will be discussed again in August, said the TNLA Joint General Secretary (2) Col. Tar Pan La at a press conference on May 4.

“ We have no plan to give Mogok or any other town. This is because we must also listen to the voices of our allies who fought with us, and we must also careful to the voices of the people who cooperated with us to ensure that the milititary junta left this territory. Currently, our position is to stop where the forces of the two sides are, stop the attacks, and allow the public to cooperate and move around." he said.

During Operation 1027, which began on October 27, 2023, a ceasefire was reached between the Kokang force (MNDAA) and the Myanmar Tatmadaw after discussion, but negotiations with the TNLA remain inconvenient.

In addition, there are reports that the TNLA aims to gather the regions of Muse, Namkham, Mong Wee, Kutkai, Theinni, Mantong, Namtu, Nansang, Momeik, Mong Ngor, Kyaukme, Thibaw, and Naung Cho, and establish them as a Palaung State.

CNI News

8 May 2025

People in earthquake-hit areas are more interested in creating job opportunities for them than in insurance compensation, U Aung Pyae Sone, a businessman, told CNI News. 

Earthquake-affected people said that what workers really want is not so-called subsidies, but rather a solution to the current shortage of jobs and unemployment.

“There are hundreds of thousands of people who have been affected by the earthquake. We have affected hundreds of thousands of people in Sagaing, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Magway, Bago, and Yangon, so how much compensation will be given to workers’ compensation? 10,000, or 100,000, or 1,000,000 Kyats (ten hundred thousand)? We don't want compensation unless we know the amount. To be honest, I also asked the workers, whether they are my employees or other workers, what they need right now is not compensation. What they want is to help make their work more convenient and smooth during the current recovery period." he said.

U Aung Myint Myint pointed out that the government should also make arrangements to restore jobs for the grassroots.

Earthquake victims in Mandalay

"In such a situation, it is imperative that these workers be provided with another job or another industry so that they can return to work normally and find a way to make ends meet.Either the relevant Regional Government or the Ministry of Labor must take action. We first need to collect data on the number of workers who have become unemployed due to the earthquake. There is an urgent need to create job opportunities for these workers." he said.

The powerful earthquake that struck on March 28, 2025, caused damage in 10 Regions/States, including Naypyidaw Council, and affected 128,965 households and 629,206 people. 
Of the more than 600,000 earthquake victims, 48,656 have been relocated to 135 relief camps, while 159,239 have relocated on their own. Despite suffering the earthquake, 421,311 people were still living in their homes, according to the DMC's April 23 tally.

While seeing a building that was about to collapse due to the earthquake

According to the preliminary list on April 24, 63,854 houses, 6,752 schools, 5,474 monasteries and nunneries, 5,342 pagodas, 613 other religious buildings, 576 hospitals/clinics, 56 railway sections, 271 road sections, 188 expressway sections, 586 dams/embankments, 172 bridges, and 353 transformers were damaged or destroyed in 10 Regions and States including Naypyidaw Council.

In the earthquake-hit Mandalay Region, small-scale industries, small-scale manufacturing, weaving and lacquerware industries, wholesale industries, border trade, and stone carving industries are being operated. Similarly, Sagaing Region also has value-added consumer goods and food products, and manufacturing industries that use raw materials from the region.

According to the Regional Small Scale Industries Department, there are 1,887 small scale industrialists in Sagaing Region with an investment of 3,182 million kyats and an annual production value of 23,756.239 million kyats.

CNI News

7 May 2025

After the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) captured 12 townships during Operation 1017, it demanded the creation of a Palaung state, raising questions about the extent of Palaung state's area. 

The TNLA Joint Secretary General (2) Col. Tar Pan La responded to a question from CNI News Agency at a press conference on May 4 that it was too early to say anything about the area of Palaung State.

“Whether it is a region or a state, we will have to decide at the next political conference whether it will be a form of a national parliament or a political dialogue that will emerge in the future. Currently, we are taking responsibility for administering and managing 12 townships. We will take care of them for a period of time until another form of public government or the federal democratic government that the whole country is hoping for emerges. The formation of Palaung State will be determined in future political discussions. It is still a bit early to say which territory or which area will be included in Palaung State.” said Col. Tar Pan La.

There are reports that the TNLA aims to gather the townships of Muse, Namkham, Nam Phat Ka, Mong Wee, Kutkai, Theinni, Mantong, Namtu, Nansang, Moemeik, Mong Ngor, Kyaukme, Thibaw, and Naung Cho and establish them as a Palaung state.

While seeing the TNLA

The two-day talks held in Kunming, China, failed after Myanmar Tatmadaw delegation demanded the withdrawal of TNLA forces from the areas of Naung Cho, Kyaukme, Thibaw, Mogok, and Moeik, which were occupied by the TNLA during Operation 1027. The talks, which were held from April 28-29, mediated by China, ended without an agreement, but the TNLA said the two sides agreed to meet again in August.

Regarding the Myanmar military's demand the TNLA to withdraw, the TNLA would continue with its previous stance, said Lwe Ye Oo, spokesperson of the TNLA.

"We have declared a ceasefire until the end of May. Therefore, we will not carry out any offensive operations. At present, we have announced a unilateral ceasefire out of sympathy for the people affected by the earthquake. "The SAC is demanding that we withdraw from Mogok and the other five towns. We cannot agree to this. There is no withdrawal. We will continue to act in accordance with our position." she said.

During Operation 1027, which has lasted for more than 2 years, a ceasefire was reached through negotiations between the Kokang force, the National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Myanmar Tatmadaw but negotiations with the TNLA have not yet been successful.

During the Kunming talks on April 28-29, 2025, the TNLA demanded that both sides stop fighting and cease fire at the places where the forces of the two sides have reached currently, refrain from offensive operations, and cease airstrikes, artillery fire, and drone attacks.

In addition, the TNLA also reportedly requested that both sides allow passage for the transportation of food and medicine for local residents in areas under their control.