It is reported that the price of goods has risen to about 4,000 kyats per US dollar, and the livelihood of basic workers is being affected due to the high prices.
From basic commodities such as rice, oil, eggs, duck eggs, sweet potato leaves to the price of gold, the dollar price of fuel, the price of medicine and all other commodities have gone up, and the workers' wages, which are only slightly more than the basic wages are low, there are couple days where they can’t afford a meal.
“There are days when I don't eat even though I work 14 hours a day, those with more family members suffer more.”, said by a garment labour.
In this situation, where skilled workers earn a maximum of over 300,000 kyats, the daily wage set by the government for the majority of local basic workers is still only 4,800 kyats.
“As the dollar rises, so does the price of gold. A Pyi (Burmese Unit) of rice became six-seven thousands. The oil also became tens of thousands. Bus fares have become around 400,500. Come and take a ride. Take a ride near the industrial zones on the sides of Hlaing Thar Yar and Shwe Pyi Thar. It would not lower than 500 MMK. Although everything went up, the wages of the workers did not go up, and some employers were even paying 3,600. As for us, 4,800 a day is not enough for food and shutter. But we are worn out. The salary did not rise at all, so I quit.”, said by a labour from Shwe Pyi Thar.
According to the price of rice on August 21, 5,000 to 7,000 kyats per pyi of rice, a paiktha(Burmese Unit) of edible oil has risen to 11,000 kyats, and other YBS vehicle fares have also increased, and even a 100 kyat downtown bus has increased to 200 kyats.
Even though everything is rising like this, the daily wages of workers are only working for 4,800 kyats, and day laborers are only working for 3,600 kyats a day, there are many difficulties of livelihoods for labours and getting worse day by day. Until now, there are still employers who do not pay the full daily wage of 4,800 kyats. In addition to wage issues, there are also more violations of labor rights.
“There was a case where a veteran employee of Royal Wood Mill was suspended from work 2 months ago without paying severance pay. We received the information as the victim reported us. The worker was a carpenter at the Royal Wood Mill, who injured his leg and received a steel rod. From the time he was reassigned as security in March 2021 until fired, he did not get the minimum wage, only for 130,000 kyats. Until now, industrial zone workers are still working without minimum wage.”, STUM expressed.
Currently, the general crisis from several directions by high prices, low wages, violations of labor rights, and the lack of law and order are affecting the grassroots and the middle class.
Myanmar's daily minimum wage has been set at 4,800 kyats, and there has been no change even after five years have passed. As the current commodities prices are high, it is necessary to make a reasonable increasement.
