ILO came but life goes on

ILO came but life goes on, say Shans

Shans in eastern Shan State told S.H.A.N. conditions of forced labor "of the people, by the people, for the military" had not changed since International Labor Organization's High Level Team visit, 17 September - 6 October. 

"Even wards in downtown Kengtung are not spared," according to a source. "Residents of Nawngkham Long, Nawngkham Awn, Bawher, Tinpa and Palaeng all have to provide free labor for the army.During my absence, my wife has to hire someone to stand in for me at Kyat 300-500 per day wages." 

"Even members of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the NGO -World Vision who have offices in Kengtung also know of this," said another. "But their presence has done very little to ease the conditions." 

The visit of the sources in Tachilek, opposite the Thai town of Maesai, also coincided with the arrival of 200 prisoners from Kengtung at 04:00 this morning at the LIB 331 post in four ten-wheelers. "They had breakfast and then left in the direction of Mongtoom-Mongkarn areas." 

Mongtoom-Mongkarn of Monghsat Township, once a stronghold of warlord Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army, is at present a contested area between Wa-Burmese troops and the Shan State Army of Yawdserk. 

Approximately 3,000 Wa families from the Chinese border are being resettled in the area. Thailand has agreed to a B. 20 million project for the development of the area. 

According to a Thai border watcher, Rangoon had issued orders on 4 December prohibiting the Army, Navy and Air Force from procuring labor on religious days except for military operations. 

Other news 

Since mid-November, non-Tachilek citizens have been required to pay for transient permits that cost B. 20 each for 7 days and B. 180 for 3 months. "This is a new phenomenon," said a Tachilek native. "We're not sure whether it's the local authorities' idea to squeeze more from the people or in accordance with directions from Rangoon."