By Yoon Sat - Apr 23, 2025
Motorcycle delivery workers have reported that military council troops are unlawfully arresting them and extorting between 50,000 and 80,000 kyats. Currently, motorcycle delivery services are operating in areas like Bago, Hmawbi, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Shwe Pyi Thar Township, Dagon Myothit (South), Dagon Myothit (East), and Dagon Seikkan, where arrests by military council troops have become increasingly common, according to local residents.
"They are now making arbitrary arrests. They patrol and find fault to make arrests without any actual offense. They arrest us saying our delivery uniform is dirty. You have to pay 50,000 kyats. To make 25,000 kyats a day, you have to work till late at night. It’s not consistent either. There’s nothing left for the family after paying for fuel and gate fees. It's a real struggle," said one worker who personally experienced this.
On April 17, military council troops arrested two-wheel motorcycle riders and delivery bikers near Melamu Pagoda in North Okkalapa Township. Eyewitnesses also reported that in Dagon Myothit (South) Township, delivery bikers were arrested and extorted for up to 80,000 kyats.
"They arrest us if we cross townships. They arrest us if we are not wearing a delivery jacket. They arrest us if your motorcycle has a canopy. We're always scared we'll run into patrolling motorbikes. The minimum we have to pay is 50,000 kyats, and it can go up to 80,000 kyats. we can't risk losing our equipment since this is our livelihood. It takes about five days to recover if you get arrested once. It's the same situation in Bago and Hmawbi areas too," said a motorcycle delivery worker from Dagon Myothit (South) Township.
Military council troops have been seizing motorcycles from locals, extorting money, and forcing locals to register delivery jackets and numbers under strict conditions since the military coup. Some local administrative officers have also been involved in forcibly regulating delivery uniforms and numbers and extorting money, according to delivery workers.
