Firebrand Buddhist monk Wirathu criticizes Min Aung Hlaing
Ashin Wirathu criticized regime leader Min Aung Hlaing over the loss of the Northeastern Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters in Lashio, and other towns in northern Shan State. The firebrand Buddhist monk made the remarks in a video that was circulated by pro-military social media accounts on Aug. 8.
“It is right that the regional [military] commanders protect their towns from being taken. But does your boss [Min Aung Hlaing] really want to fight? Just ask him if he wants to donate other towns too. Instead of surrendering [the towns and RMC], question him bluntly,” said Wirathu, who is known for inciting violence against Muslims.
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) took control of the RMC in Lashio on Aug. 3. The loss of the RMC has led to more criticism of Min Aung Hlaing’s leadership capabilities. Another pro-military monk called on Min Aung Hlaing to step down during a protest against the Brotherhood Alliance in Pyin Oo Lwin on Jan. 16.
Increased scrutiny on citizens traveling abroad
Men aged 18 to 35 traveling abroad have faced increased scrutiny from immigration officials at Yangon International Airport with some being prevented from traveling abroad due to claims of “incomplete documentation,” since Aug. 1, travelers have told DVB.
“If you’re traveling with a PV [visit] passport, you must provide proof of a round-trip plane ticket, have 20,000 baht or 500 dollars on hand [and] have a hotel booking. If you’re traveling with a PJ [job] passport, you will need a letter of employment,” said Min Min, a man who was recently scrutinized by immigration officials at Yangon International Airport.
Some Burma nationals who work overseas that have returned to their homes have faced issues when leaving if they could not demonstrate proof that they have paid income tax or transferred 25 percent of their wage via banks. The regime has imposed restrictions on international travel after it enacted its military conscription law on Feb. 10.
Daily allowance for workers increased a second time
The regime’s National Committee for Setting Minimum Wages announced on Friday that workers from private companies have been receiving a daily allowance of 2,000 kyat since Aug. 1. This is an increase of 1,000 kyat per day, which was set in 2023 and is in addition to the minimum wage of 4,800 kyat.
“We want to increase our daily wages instead of allowance fees because most factories don’t count these allowance fees on holidays as well for overtime. Some factories do not give allowance fees,” said a garment factory worker in Yangon. The new adjustment does not apply to small businesses with fewer than 10 workers or family-run companies.
The minimum wage has remained the same since the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) government increased it to 4,800 kyat in 2018. “We want the daily wage to be pegged at $3 USD,” said a spokesperson of the Myanmar Industry Craft Service-Trade Unions Federation (MICS-TUsF). The foreign exchange rate reached a record high of 6,000 kyat per $1 USD on Friday.
Read our feature story on how Myanmar factory workers continue to fight for labor rights since the 2021 military coup.
News by Region
ARAKAN—The military has built fences around Sittwe since early August. “Poles for the metal fence panels were installed and the fencing began on Friday. They want the people not to wander along the Kaladan River bank and to prevent the Arakan Army (AA) from entering the town easily,” a Sittwe resident told Narinjara News.
Sittwe residents claimed that two ships carrying materials to install metal fences from Yangon arrived in July. Regime authorities have increased security and have planted landmines around Sittwe, since the AA seized control of areas surrounding the city. The AA began its offensive against the military on Nov. 13.
MANDALAY—The regime is preventing civil servants who have been attending training at the Central Institute of Civil Service-Upper Myanmar (Zee Pin Gyi) in Pyin Oo Lwin Township, located in northeastern Mandalay Region, from returning to their family homes in other states and regions.
“The institute might be a target if there are clashes in the town. It is like the military is using civil servants as hostages,” said a mother of one of the civil servants working at the institute. The regime has been evacuating the families of military personnel, police officers, and its administrative officials from Pyin Oo Lwin since Aug. 7.
NAYPYIDAW—The regime accepted the appointment of Ma Jia to the post of China’s ambassador to Burma, regime media reported. Ma Jia previously worked at China’s embassies in Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, and the U.K.
The appointment comes as fighting between the Brotherhood Alliance and the military continues in northern Shan State near the China border. Beijing has called for peace talks after a ceasefire signed on Jan. 11 broke down on June 25. China’s previous ambassador, Chen Hai, announced his departure from the post during a meeting with Min Aung Hlaing on July 4.
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