Saturday, February 18, 2012

World Bank returns to Burma after 25 years


17 February 2012
The World Bank is set to re-engage with Burma 25 years after freezing 
its lending, but the Southeast Asian country must first repay several 
hundred million dollars in outstanding arrears.
The announcement came as the global financial institution held a board 
of directors meeting on the future of the country yesterday and is the 
latest sign that the international community is ready to welcome 
Burma back in from the cold.

Salary increase for rural gov’t workers only: finance minister


17 February 2012
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Only government employees in remote, rural areas 
should get a salary increase, Finance and Revenue Minister Hla Tun told a 
joint session of the Burmese  Parliament on Thursday.

For Rangoon Strikers, No End in Sight


17 February 2012
RANGOON — Even though she works at least 50 hours a week, she can 
hardly make ends meet. “They give me 75 kyat (less that 10 US cents) an hour. 
I can no longer survive on that meager wage,” said Ma Chaw, 26, right in front 
of the Tai Yi slipper factory in western Rangoon's Hlaing Tharyar Township 
where she has worked for the past eight years.