Kaladan News
Date: Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Forced Labor Still Exists in Arakan, Western Burma
Buthidaung, June 8: The Military Operation
Command –15 (MOC-15) Commander of Buthidaung Township, Arakan
State, had ordered five villages to provide forced labor to work in
the military Battalions, according to our source.
The villagers of Quan Dine, Tharakani, Dabru Chaung, Sinyan Way and Nanragong of Buthidaung Township have been engaged in forced labor for military Battalins since last month 2004, he further added.
The villagers have to provide forced labor to the army battalions No.551, 556, 564 and MOC-15 headquarters, which have been established at Koya Sori, Krakma Taung, Palay Daung and Dabru Chaung villages respectively.
Forced labor is continuing in Arakan State of western Burma. The commander warned the villagers of serious action in case of non-compliance.
Accordingly, since May 15, 2004, a total of 250 laborers, that is, 50 from each village have been daily working on the construction site. Besides, they have to work such as to carry ration, to construct road, to collect firewood for baking bricks in kilns, to carry water, to fence the army camps, to do cleaning works, to make bricks in brick fields and to carry bricks from brick field to their camps, said a Village PDC member to our source.
They have been working daily in the camps without any wages, carrying with them their own foods.
Forced labor is still continuing in Arakan State even though SPDC authorities have officially denied the existence any forced labor across the country.
According to the MOC-15 Command Commander’s verbal order, Rakhaings and Kami (tribe) are exempted from forced labor.
When asked Kalu, 55, one of the participants in forced labor said, “When I’m carrying bricks from brickfield to their camp, suddenly I fall to the ground and some bricks are broken. For this reason, Naska asks me to pay Kyat 60,000/-(US$ 67) as a punishment because of negligence of the work. But, I cannot afford this money, so, I am compelled to flee the country to avoid the arrest on 21st May. Now, I am working as daily labor at Bangladesh Border area. I am even unable to treat my ailing wife due to abject poverty while I’m at my home. Now, I don’t know what is happening at my home.” ##
For more information, please contact at:
Mobile: +880 11 227 138
E-mail: [email protected]