Leaked information from Naypyidaw on Monday evening suggested that junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe had chosen Prime Minister ex-Gen Thein Sein to be the new president of Burma.
Thein Sein, who retired from the army in April to lead the junta’s proxy party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, is Than Shwe’s longterm friend and close aide. Continue reading “Thein Sein Set to Be New President”
A protest of 700 Burmese migrant workers at the V&K Pineapple Canning Company Factory in Ratchaburi, Thailand ended yesterday after reaching an agreement between the employer and the migrant workers, stated the Chiang Mai-based Migrant Assistance Program Foundation (MAP). Sutthiphong Khongkhaphon, a coordinator for the Labor Rights for All program conducted by MAP, told the Independent Mon News Agency on Monday that the protest was over at 6 pm when, after negotiations, the migrants received their demands from their employer.
Migrants list of demands included 7 points: to be paid the full legal overtime rates and an explanation of the various deductions made from their pay packets before they receive them. In compliance with hygiene and sanitation standards, the workers demanded a sufficient number of toilets for the number of workers (currently there are only four), full work-related accident compensation, improved access to health care, and an end to discriminatory practices between the treatment of Thai and Burmese workers.
The protest started on Monday because the workers were outraged that another was beaten by a Thai foreman first in a market and then back in his room. When a Burmese interpreter came to clear up the situation, he too was beaten, said Jackie Pollock, the founding member of the MAP Foundation. During the protest, the migrant workers conducted a strike and requested for the payment of their full salary, having not received full payments for the last six months. V&K pays 167 baht daily for workers at the company, though the minimum wage in Ratchaburi is 180 baht. Khing Zaw Naing, a leading migrant protester, said that the employers pay the workers their salary two times a month. Every time the migrants withdraw the money, the employer gives them a reduced salary. They should be receiving 1,760 baht, but they receive only 1,000 or 700, with an explanation that the rest will be given to them later.
We have suffered a lot. This is why we conducted a strike, Khing Zaw Naing said.
There are an estimated 2 to 3 million Burmese migrant workers in Thailand, with many of them staying in the country illegally. Many of the migrants are ethnic minorities within Burma, Mon, Karen, and Shan, who have fled Burmese army oppression and human rights abuses. The V&K Pineapple Canning Factory produces canned pineapples and dehydrated fruits which are exported worldwide to Europe, America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Source: nosweat.org.uk
Nay Pyi Taw, January 31 — The First Pyithu Hluttaw ( House of Representatives ) and the First Amyotha Hluttaw ( House of Nationalities ) respectively began holding their first sessions under the sponsorship of the State Peace and Development Council ( SPDC ) at the newly constructed grand parliament building in Nay Pyi Taw at exactly 8:55 am this morning under heavy security.
Simultaneously at the same time this morning, the first sessions of the hluttaws of the 7 Regions and 7 States were held at the respective capitals of these states and regions.
In a phone interview with @@ yesterday evening, some representatives of the Pyithu Hluttaw, who asked not to be identified, gave an explanation that though Senior General Than Shwe and Vice-Senior General Maung Aye were not included either among the elected representatives or the military representatives, these two top men of the military junta still stand a good chance to be either the President or Vice-President of the Union.
These representatives pointed out a stipulation in the 2008 State Constitution, which provides that each of all three groups of representatives namely the group of representatives of the Pyithu Hluttaw, the group of representatives of the Amyotha Hluttaw and the group of military representatives could elect a Vice-President from among the hluttaw representatives or from among persons, who are neither elected hluttaw representatives nor nominated military representatives. Continue reading “Burma Insight: 31 Jan 2011 by BDC- The First Pyithu Hluttaw ( House of Representatives ) and the First Amyotha Hluttaw ( House of Nationalities )”
A greeting message sent by Aung San Suu Kyi was posted on the Internet website which was inaugurated on Sunday evening.
‘I am very pleased indeed that there is now a web page that will make the policies and activities of the National League for Democracy known around the globe’, she wrote. ‘A good communication system is essential in our endeavour to set up a people’s network for democracy that will span the whole world.’
‘By communicating through the web page, with strong supporters of our cause, as well as with those who want to know more about our movement for democracy and about the NLD, I believe we will be able to achieve our goal of a democratic union at a faster pace’, she said.
NLD officials noted that the NLD itself had no role in backing or creating the website. The identity of the developer of the website is not known.
Party Information Department In-charge Ohn Kyaing told Mizzima that the NLD had no contact with the webmaster of the website and the party could not have such a website itself in light of many laws and restrictions in Burma.
‘There are many general limitations inside Burma’, he said, ‘both technical, financial and legal constraints’.
The website address is www.nldburma.org. It posts information in both English and Burmese. There are website sections devoted to organisation, media and press releases, social welfare, education, health, international affairs, law and ethnic affairs.
NLD Vice Chairman Tin Oo also welcomed the creation of the website.
“We welcome the opening of a web page dedicated to promoting the interest of the NLD”, said a message signed by Tin Oo.
The organisation section lists state and division party branches, youth and women and the Committee Representing People’s Parliament. The media and press release section contains past press releases, interviews, articles and media related information.
In the social welfare section are listings for emergency help, political prisoners and other information. Under health is information about HIV/AIDs programs. Under international affairs information about the United Nations, Asean, India/China, North America and Europe is provided. The webiste also includes video clips and a photo gallery of NLD activities.
Ohn Kyaing said, ‘All of the press releases are those that have already been released. If we did this website from Burma, all of us would be arrested. We cannot release even a newsletter from our office’.
In late January, the clashes broke out between the SSA fighters and the Junta backed militia units such as PNO militia unit and Ai Htwe militia unit, causing many casualties from the militia units sides and SSA captured many weapons and ammunitions.
On January 27, 2011, the clash broke out between SSA fighters and PNO militia unit at Murng Zit area, Nam Zarng Township, central Shan State, resulting 5 dead from PNO side and SSA seizes 4 assorted rifles.
Another clash broke out between SSA fighters and PNO militia unit on January 27 at Tong Nao area, Loi Lem Township too. The loss of PNO was unknown and the SSA fighters were safe.
On January 28 at 6 am, SSA fighters raided Ai Htwe militia unit’s base at Hamngai area, Murng Kerng Township and destroyed the whole base. In the 5 hours-fighting, SSA fighters captured 30 assorted rifles and ammunitions. There was no loss from SSA side.
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