“Distant and expensive”, no one wants to transfer to the new capital Naypyidaw
Naypyidaw (AsiaNews) – Two years on from the military junta’s decision to transfer its administration from Yangon to Naypyidaw, in the centre of the country, civil servants continue to oppose the move. Isolated and expensive, it seems that no one wants to go live in the new administrative centre of ex Burma.
Twelve Health Ministry employees risk redundancy because they refuse to “transfer”. Anonymous ministry sources reported the situation to The Irrawady newspaper; which has also revealed that six women who oppose the directive also risk “disciplinary sanctions”.
“We have never had any intentions to resign from our work for the government,” said a letter explaining the women's position. “Though the ministry could consider transferring us to an appropriate local hospital under the department of health, the officials haven’t given us such a chance”. “Kan Thaung, the deputy director of the department who is responsible for addressing the case, refused to comment on the issue”, says The Irrawady.
Government workers who have been transferred to Naypyidaw have complained about inadequate facilities and the high cost of living, especially for staffers who leave a spouse and family behind inYangon. The new capital is about 300 kilometres north of Yangon. “They all have families," said the staff member. "The ministry can’t provide enough accommodations for the married staff and they have to live in the hostels built for the single staff. It is one of the major reasons for them not to be willing to transfer to Naypyidaw”.
The salary of a junior clerk in the ministry is 18,000 kyat (15 us dollars) a month. The salary is not enough to make ends meet in Naypyidaw, where meals are said to cost 1,500 kyat (1.20 us dollars) daily. There have been rumours of an extra government allowance of 20,000 kyat (17 us dollars) a month, but no action has been taken.
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03/02/2021 10:50
02/02/2021 13:45
