Stay at Home orders adds to rising high unemployment numbers

August 17, 2021

HURFOM: In order to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the military junta imposed “Stay at Home” orders for residents of Mawlamyine and three other townships in Mon State.

One of the impacts of this restriction on people’s movement has been that daily workers have lost their jobs.

In addition to day labourers, those working in construction, on plantations and those who work in restaurants can not go to their workplaces and have become unemployed.

“We have to work to get food. I haven’t gone to work for two weeks already so my livelihood is getting tougher. I don’t know when I can go to work so everything is getting worse day by day,” said a construction worker from Ka Log Tok village, Mudon Township.

As rates of infection and subsequent deaths rise during the third wave of COVID-19 the economic impacts are also growing. In addition to the shut down of many workplaces, the banks have been ordered to be closed.

“Due to the high rate of spread of the virus, it isn’t okay to go to other villages or houses for work. We shouldn’t do that in this condition. The shops have been closed and it’s difficult to go and come. My livelihood will be tough till I can return to my work,” said a construction worker from Thanbyuzayat.

Unemployment numbers are rising sharply due to the coup and COVID-19. 1.2 millions workers in Burma have lost their jobs during the past three months, according to the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

It is anticipated the rate of job losses will increase in the future due to the current political, social and economic crisis across the country. The most impacted sectors are construction, garment and hotel and tourism.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News