RESIDENTS of Budalin in Sagaing Division were in a state of “shock” when a large group of motorcyclists escorting National League of Democracy secretary-general Daw Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in the town last Friday, a government statement said.

The statement, issued last Friday evening, said the 150 motorcyclists had ignored a request from the town’s elders to respect traffic regulations.

“Local people have been in a state of shock and fear,” the statement said. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was accompanied by a senior NLD official, U Tin Oo, when her motorcade travelled from Monywa to Budalin last Friday, the statement said.  [FullStory]

THE government and the International Labour Organisation will sign an agreement early this week on a plan of action for cooperating in the eradication of forced labour, the ILO’s liaison officer in Yangon, Ms Hong-Trang Perret-Nguyen, told Myanmar Times.
The breakthrough came after both sides agreed on May 8 to the role and function of a facilitator whose task will be “to assist possible victims of forced labour in Myanmar”. [Fullstory]

THE development gap and disparities in employment opportunities between developed and poor countries have contributed to illegal migration and an increase in human trafficking, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council, General Khin Nyunt, said last week. [Fullstory]