Armed groups force plantation workers to apply for travel documents

October 28, 2024

HURFOM: In Ye Township, Mon State, the junta-appointed Administrators claimed that the rubber plantation workers must obtain recommendation letters from them, in order to go to their workplace safely and at the same time.

The Karen National Liberation Army and the People’s Defense Force said plantation workers in their controlled area must have recommendation letters approved by their groups.

“If the owner has workers who guard the plantation at night, the owners have to spend money to get recommendation letters for them. The Karen soldiers said the plantations in remote areas and under their controlled area must apply for the recommendation letter. The annual fee costs us 30,000 MMK,” said a rubber plantation owner.

The junta-appointed village Administrators extort 5,000 MMK per recommendation letter while the resistance armed groups extort 30,000 MMK for these documents.

“If we have a recommendation letter, we can go to the plantation even at 1 am or 2 am. Those who don’t have recommendation letters can go to the plantation only during daylight,” said one plantation worker.

The junta has imposed martial law and a curfew in Ye Township, Mon State. Their forces shoot and arrest local villagers who go outside at night.

“In Ye, we dare not go to the plantation which is near the military base. The soldiers shoot their guns if they’re suspicious of something. At the moment, there is a frequent battle near San Pya village, no one dares to go to the plantation,” said a San Pya villager.

The market price of rubber this harvest season in Mon State has improved. Now, one pound of rubber slice is priced at 2,000 MMK.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News