NLD's economic "blueprint" and income inquality in Myanmar

"The increasing polarity in this country needs to be tackled immediately, especially between the rich and poor, as the gap between them has been growing. If it's not tackled, it could derail our long-term  quest for democracy," said Maung Maung Lay.

Gov responses to allegations of "legal human trafficking"

Migrant rights activists who accused the government of operating a “legal” human trafficking pipeline must face punishment for speaking out of line, Thai and Myanmar labour officials have said. The two rights groups, the Myanmar Association in Thailand (MAT) and the Aid Alliance Committee for Myanmar workers (AAC), last week compared the formal, sanctioned channels for sending Myanmar labourers overseas via memoranda of understanding to exploitative human smuggling rings.

Migrant labour MoU as “legal human-trafficking”

Thailand and Myanmar must agree on a migrant worker system that does not functionally result in “legal human-trafficking”, activists said at a press conference last week.

The remark ignited a scuffle with owners of overseas employment agencies who disputed allegations that their business model is barely a cut above black-market human smugglers’.

Privatisation and its discontents

Workers from an agriculture machinery factory at 9 Mile in Yangon Region staged a protest against the Young Investment Group Industry Co Ltd (YIG) yesterday morning, claiming the company had fired nearly all of its employees without cause.

Labour law reform in "democractic" Myanmar

The government has largely put labour reform on the backburner at a time when worker rights advocates say there’s an urgent need to improve dispute settlement procedures. THE first crackdown on protesting workers under the National League for Democracy government occurred less than two months after it assumed power.

Private funding for industrial zone infrastructure?

Yangon Region government is to call on private industry to fund an upgrade of Hlaing Tharyar industrial zone to serve as a pilot project for the nation... “The government wants to upgrade industrial zones in Yangon, starting in Hlaing Tharyar as a pilot project,”... He believes the government intends to put the development plan out to tender, inviting private companies to develop the necessary infrastructure.“

Official position on Thailand's migrant crackdown

"Department head Mr Arak Prommanee urged employers to bring their employees to register before the expiry of the deadline, warning that, after that, labour inspectors will start checking work places to find out if any of them are harbouring illegal workers. Employers will face a maximum fine of 100,000 for having one illegal migrant worker and illegal migrant workers will face a maximum jailterm of five years and/or a fine of between 2,000-100,000 baht."

"Over one million foreign migrant workers are expected to register with Labour Ministry," Pattaya Mail

Another reactionary editorial on migrant labour in Thailand

A reactionary editorial, useful only as a point of reference, blaming migrants and calling for tighter restrictions and the mass expulsion of those lacking documentation:

"...there are plenty of non-registered or illegal migrant workers out there. What complicates matters is the Thai government's relaxation of the country's labour regulations, which started in 2009 to allow migrant workers who previously entered Thailand illegally to go through the registration process... the dearth of limitations on the numbers of migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar and the lack of clarity about job classifications allowed for migrant workers could undermine the management... The government should end the relaxation of Thai labour regulations for illegal migrant workers... Thailand should send back existing illegal migrant workers to their countries."

"End Thailand's relaxed labour laws," Bangkok Post, 27 July 2016

On Thailand's migrant "pink card" crackdown

"With the deadline to register for temporary work permits swiftly approaching, migrant workers in Thailand say they are being subjected to a rash of police raids.  Undocumented workers from Myanmar – as well as Laos and Cambodia – have been told they must register for the work permits by July 29, or face deportation. The pink cards allow the workers a two-year reprieve, a window during which their home countries are tasked with verifying nationality and providing longer-term documents, such as passports.  The scheme has been favoured by Thailand’s military junta, and was first rolled out in 2014 in a stated effort to curb human trafficking. But the current iteration differs by requiring Myanmar nationals with temporary passports set to expire to also register.  Workers dislike the program as it leaves them vulnerable to arrest or, more frequently, police round-ups where they are forced to pay a bribe. 

Myanmar workers protest selection of Labour Arbitration Tribunal members

"Workers vow to mobilise 1,000 supporters in a protest on July 24, where they will voice dissatisfaction over the selection process of a tribunal council's members. “We are going to protest on July 24 with 1,000 people in front of (Yangon) City Hall,” said a factory worker Hla Hla. Workers' groups hosted a press conference on July 20, fuming about the lack of transparency of the selection process. On July 8, employee representatives were chosen to the tribunal council. However, half of them represented the Federation of Labour Unions [CTUM?], which was the only workers' group invited to the selection by the Ministry of Labour. “There are thousands of labour groups in Myanmar. However, they did not invite all groups and only announced the selection plan through Sky Net and newspapers. This did not reach all employees,” said Aung Thu, a labour affairs leader. Aside from the protest, the groups plan to file their complaints to the government, rights groups and political parties. Naw Aung from the Myanmar Industrial and Commercial Federation also criticised the voting system.

"Labour tribunal under fire over representatives," Eleven Media, 22 July 2016

More on the repression of workers in "democratic" Myanmar

Sagaing workers, facing trial for their protest march to the capital, will be sentenced to a month in prison or a K5000 fine after being held in contempt of court yesterday. The workers irritated court staffers by refusing to take the proceedings seriously and instead staging civil disobedience by yelling out and singing during four straight hearings.

(yet another) Thai migrant registration deadline

The Thai Labor Ministry yesterday said it would refuse to extend the July 29 deadline for migrant workers to register themselves, stating they will arrest workers who have not registered from next month.

On the regulation and repression/extortion of migrants in Thailand

"The migrant workers said these stickers allow them to sell stuff on the street without fear of official intervention as bribes have been paid but so far the identity of the person or persons who issued them is unknown."

"Bangkok police chief vows to punish five station heads if graft stickers surface in their responsible areas," Pattaya Mail, 31 May 2016

"IN A BID to counter the problem of illegal migrants, foreign workers without permits face the prospect of mass arrests and large fines... According to Arak, the committee agreed to have a subcommittee study six resolutions:... guidelines to track registered workers' homes and jobs; a new version of work permits that shows jobs and areas of residence; ... The director-general said to crack down on illegal labour, the ministry needs to take aggressive action. Workers without work permits will be jailed and made to pay a large fine. He said the ministry had tried to intensify punishment of employers who hire illegal labourers as well... Currently, there are 39 "skilled" jobs such as cooks, hairdressers, sellers and service sector work that Cambodian, Myanmar and Lao workers cannot do, Arak said. But many illegal workers do these jobs... in response to scandals over illegal workers bribing police to work without papers, police were responsible for the issue and the ministry would not interfere. The ministry could only ask for police and concerned parties to cooperate and crack down on non-registered workers."

"Illegal workers face major crackdown," The Nation, 14 June 2016

"In many cases when workers or employers cannot personally apply for a permit, they hire brokers to secure the necessary documents. But Aung's employer said that could cost as much as Bt10,000 per employee... And even though Aung and his five fellow waiters have no legal work status, their employer has provided a degree of protection by bribing police and other officials. "Currently there are eight police and other authority offices that take bribes from me," he said. "Each one takes at least Bt500 per month per head, making me pay about Bt20,000 in total. And I have no choice but to pay." Millions of migrants from Myanmar work... in an even more complex situation if they work as vendors.... Mu said three different groups of police have told her to pay bribes of Bt3,000 per month after an initial "fine" of Bt25,000 in exchange for "job security". "Dreams of a migrant worker to have a good life here is far from the truth," she said. Mu earns about Bt300 a day from the stall. She has to pay the police bribes, rent for her stall and support her two schoolchildren. That prevents her from saving anything or sending funds back to her family... The government tackles the problem with short-term crackdowns."

 "Many Myanmar migrants caught in an illegal limbo," The Nation, 20 June 2016

More on the spatial fix to Myanmar

"Chinese garment factories are interested in investing in Myanmar due to the country’s cheap labour and market potential. As... China’s basic wages have been rising, textile proprietors are flocking to Southeast Asian countries, where wages are relatively cheap... Myanmar’s garment industry began blooming in 2014 and earned $1.5 billion from exports. More than 230,000 workers were involved in the industry as of 2015. Foreign investment into the industry is also rising; 26.5 per cent of Myanmar’s total FDI went into garment industry in 2013, followed by 27.4 per cent in 2014 and 29 per cent in 2015. The industry runs on a piecework basis. Myanmar’s garment exports primarily go to Japan, the EU and South Korea." 

"China eyes Myanmar garment industry: Hong Kong trade report," Eleven Media, 28 June 2016

Police repression of workers' struggles in "democratic" Myanmar

"Police have used force to crack down on the worker protest march from Sagaing’s Myanmar Veneer Plywood Private Limited (MVPPL) on May 18. The protesters were awaiting the arrival of Nay Pyi Taw’s council chairman Dr Myo Aung at the entrance of Tatkon when a disagreement broke out with the police... According to Nay Pyi Taw police superintendent Ko Ko Aung: “We have already made it clear that this protest is an illegal gathering under Sections 127 and 128 of the penal code. It has no legal permission. The council chairman was waiting in Tatkon to negotiate with the protest leaders but they rejected the offer and no negotiations worked. They then attempted to go past the blockade so we took action. “There are a couple of protesters that incited and instigated the action. They will be investigated and charged.” ... Protesters claimed an unnecessary amount of force was used. “The police beat and arrested us. People in civilian clothing also joined in to beat us. Women were also beaten. A girl might die,” said a detained protester from one of the police vans... “We were brutally beaten and arrested under the administration of a civilian government that we voted for. Should this happen? Is this fair?” shouted protest leader Khine Min from inside a police vehicle."

"Police break worker protest," Eleven Media, 19 May 2016

"Around 50 factory workers and activists involved in a protest march in Myanmar... have been charged with rioting... The protesters had been blocked by police as they tried to march into the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, on Wednesday, resulting in scuffles. They were demanding union recognition and for fired workers to be re-hired. The new government has been discussing amending military-era laws allowing police to clamp down on such protests."

"Myanmar charges 50 with rioting after protest march," BBC, 20 May 2016

"They are being charged under Articles 143 and 145, 147 and 505(b) ... for joining in or continuing an unlawful assembly and rioting,” said Colonel Ko Ko Aung of the Naypyidaw police told RFA’s Myanmar Service. The first three articles pertain to participating in an unlawful assembly, refusing to obey police and causing disorder, while Article 505(b) of the penal code pertains to disturbing public order... The current law passed in 2012 under the previous military-backed government requires those planning demonstrations to obtain permission from local authorities five days in advance and to provide details about their planned activities."

"Myanmar Police Charge Workers Involved in Labor Rights Protest," RFA, 20 May 2016

 

Mizzima: Suu Kyi says government plans to take care of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand

On the Myanmar government's involvement with migrant nationals in Thailand:

Myanmar Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi said the Government has plans to take care of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand... Although she did not reveal details of the plan, she said the Myanmar government had plans to take care of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand. The Thai Foreign Minister Pramudwinai said, “Children of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand get schooling in Thailand. And Myanmar workers can enjoy the right to receive medical treatment like Thai workers. We will work in order that Myanmar workers have equal rights. Myanmar also has a duty to address some matters related to Myanmar workers in Thailand.” ... the Thai Foreign Minister said 1.59 million Myanmar migrant workers have been registered legally in Thailand. Thailand’s Bangkok Post reported that according to Thanit Sorat, founder and former secretary-general of the Thai Myanmar Business Forum, about 1.6 million documented Myanmar migrants now work in Thailand, while a further 1.6 million are unregistered.

"Suu Kyi says government plans to take care of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand," Mizzima, 10 May 2016

On the much-drawn-out negotiations of migrant registration in Thailand

Are they really still negotiating over regularising migration to Thailand? This sounds like the MoU system that pre-dates the coup by at least 5 years.

Thai and Myanmar labour ministers have agreed to proceed with a labour cooperation plan to import migrant workers through a government-to-government agreement, says a senior ministry official.

"Minister settles worker import plan with Myanmar," Bangkok Post, 5 May 2016

Comparing Myanmar wages internationallly

International companies are pouring into [Myanmar], eager to take advantage of the extraordinarily cheap labour costs (only Djibouti and Bangladesh offer lower labour costs than the 3,600 kyat [Dh11.39] daily minimum wage introduced last year). 

"Myanmar’s Catch 22: why Aung San Suu Kyi faces the task of a lifetime," The Nation, 4 May 2016

The reality of migrant wages in Mae Sot

According to Win Zaw Oo, a Mae Sot-based migrant: "Even though the Thai government has officially set the minimum wage in Tak province area at 300 baht [a day], not more than 10% of migrant workers get that amount."

And according to U Moe Kyo, director of JACBA: "Even though [Thai] government has considered increasing the minimum wage to 300 baht all over Thailand, Mae Sot and some other districts still pay a minimum wage under 200 baht."

"International Workers Day Raises Concerns about Equality, Rights and Pay For Burmese Workers," Karen News, 3 May 2016

Contesting Myanmar's minimum wage

The current minimum wage in Myanmar is 3,600 kyat/day.  The MWUN calls for an increase to 5,600 kyat/day.

The Myanmar Workers Union Network yesterday called on the new government to enact a minimum wage of Ks 5,600 at a ceremony marking International Workers’ Day in Hlaingthaya Township, Yangon. The ceremony was attended by MPs from the National League for Democracy, members of labour unions and farmers unions, officials from political organisations and around 500 workers.

"Workers Union Network calls for daily minimum wage of Ks 5,600," Eleven Media, May 2016