Tuesday, March 13, 2012

US officials back new labour bill


13 March 2012
US officials have met with labour organisers in Rangoon to discuss the 
implementation of a new law that gives workers in Burma unprecedented 
rights to organise and protest. Five US officials, including State 
Department deputy assistant secretary Daniel Baer and International 
Labour Affairs special representative Barbara Shailor, were involved 
in the talks yesterday.

New Burma-Thailand trade point opens


13 March 2012
(Mizzima) – Burma and Thailand have agreed to open a new southern 
border trade point to promote commerce between the two countries. 
The Mawhtaung border trade point in southern Tanintharyi Region in 
Burma will become the fifth with Thailand, according the Xinhua news 
agency, which quoted Global News. China is No. 1 in border trade with 
Burma followed by Thailand, India and Bangladesh.

Objections raised over restarting Myitsone Dam project


12 March 2012
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – With news of ongoing talks between China and 
Burma regarding the status of the Myitsone Dam suspension, objections 
from environmentalists and politicians have begun. On Saturday, China 
Power Investment Corporation president Lu Qizhou was quoted in the 
state-run China Daily newspaper as saying discussions with Burmese 
government leaders were going on over the suspension of the Myitsone 
Dam project, and China would like to restart the project as soon 
as possible after Burmese concerns are dealt with. 

ASEAN chief fears Thai labour drain


12 March 2012
Concerns that economic reforms in Burma will catalyse an exodus of millions 
of Burmese migrant workers from Thailand has prompted the region’s top 
diplomat, Surin Pitsuwan, to warn that Thai industry reliant on the cheap 
labour provided by its neighbour “could be in trouble”.

China-Burma talks underway on Myitsone Dam project


12 March 2012
(Mizzima) – “Active” talks are underway between the Burmese government 
and China Power Investment Corp. to restart the suspended US$ 3.6 billion 
Myitsone hydroelectric dam that was halted last year, the head of 
China Power said Saturday.