Vox Pop: Civil servants respond to junta threat of punitive action against unauthorised absences

By Admin 18 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom

The Myanmar regime's administrative mechanism has collapsed in nine townships seized by the Arakkha Army (AA) in Arakan State. The fighting between Myanmar military and AA forces has prompted many junta employees to flee in those townships.

The regime has told them to come and work in the territory it still controls in Arakan State. Many junta employees are, however, taking shelter in areas controlled by the AA as there is no guarantee for their safety in junta-controlled territory.

The Arakan State military council issued a notice on July 25, saying it would take punitive action against them for unauthorised absences. Former junta employees spoke to DMG earlier this month about their responses to the regime's warning. (The names and ranks of the staff employees have been concealed for their safety.)

Auditing Department Employee

I feel sad. Though many government employees joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) across the country after the military takeover, the number of staff who joined the CDM in Arakan State was the lowest. The [military] government might be aware of that.

Though we stood by them [the regime] while they were having a hard time … they should stand by us while it is not safe to travel across Arakan State, [but instead] they issued a notice with a dictatorial attitude threatening us instead of providing help and guaranteeing our safety. Their action amounts to breaking their own power. It appears that they don't notice that staff have not got their salaries for months after being displaced by the fighting. I deeply regret that I have worked for years for an unsympathetic and callous government.

Rathedaung Township General Administration Department Employee

We have concerns for our security during this period. Many government employees have been displaced by the fighting. The military council has told us to go and work in nearby townships it still controls. But the problem is that we are concerned that we will be trapped if fighting happens in those townships. We are concerned for our safety.

If they would sack us by taking advantage of this [the fact that we cannot comfortably go to work in townships the regime controls], it is a huge loss for us. To get a job in departments like immigration and customs, you had to give more than 10 million kyats. While the salary is low, it takes several years to get a promotion. What they have done to employees during this difficult period has caused problems for employees, especially for those who are waiting for a pension.

A Sittwe Teacher

I love this job very much, so I didn't choose other professions that have better opportunities for career development. I have devoted myself to this job over the past 10 years. I haven't received a salary for the past seven months, after being displaced by the fighting.

I can't go to their place as there is no guarantee for safety. They are now threatening that they will take punitive action against us. I have been doing this job only because of my passion. The salary of government employees is not tempting at all.

Rural Development Department Employee

I am now in an AA-controlled area, and it is not safe for me to return to Sittwe. If [the regime] provides a route for staff to go to Sittwe, I am ready to go. Also, I can't go to Yangon because the entirety of Arakan State is blockaded. And my salary is too small to pay for rent and household expenses in Yangon.

I want to go to Sittwe if I can. I want to tell my department heads that I have worked for decades. It is OK if they don't pay me while I can't work. But they should not sack us just because we can't go to Sittwe.