By Kantarawaddy Times
The Karenni Civil Servant CDM Committee has stated the need to reorganize and create employment opportunities for civil servants who participated in the nonviolent Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) in Karenni State.
Although there were 5,607 CDM participants in Karenni State after the military coup, the percentage of those reintegrated into their respective workplaces under the interim period remains very low, according to the committee’s chairperson, Jhon.
“We need collective strength. Whether through ideas or actions, it would be best if we could work together collectively on the ground,” she said.
On November 9, the Civil Servant CDM Conference was held with the aim of maintaining the role of CDM participants, addressing livelihood needs as much as possible, facilitating connections with relevant organizations, ensuring CDM representatives participate in political and social sectors, and establishing CDM policies.
CDM civil servants in Karenni State have diverse roles. Some have joined armed resistance due to the political situation, while others are displaced as IDPs in remote areas, while other working abroad to sustain their families. Some have returned to teaching and healthcare services in self-reiant community schools and clinics.
Education and healthcare workers who were formerly employed by the government have the highest rates of reintegration under the Karenni Interim Executive Council. However, for CDM workers from other government departments, only about 30% have returned to their workplaces within the interim administration, according to John, the Chairperson.
One reason for this is that the interim government is unable to provide CDM workers with salaries equivalent to those previously offered by the government. As a result, many CDM workers have sought employment abroad. A CDM education worker from Dee Maw Hso Township explained, “Practically speaking, the salary we receive does not align with our expenses. The income and costs simply do not match. We cannot solely rely on donor support for our livelihood, so we have had to leave and find work elsewhere to sustain ourselves.”
According to the records of the Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC), there are 1,276 staff members actively working in the education sector, along with 3,077 volunteer staff. Within the nonviolent resistance movement in Karenni State, education and healthcare workers constitute the majority, while staff from other government departments, including General Administration, Judiciary, Legal Affairs, Revenue, Cooperatives, and Municipal Administration, are also participating in various capacities.
CDM staff from departments like Cooperatives, General Administration, and Municipal Administration, which have relatively fewer workers, are facing challenges with job scarcity. Daw Mi Nge, a staff member from the Cooperatives Department, is currently unemployed and undergoing treatment for cancer. She expressed her desire to return to work in her respective department.
“When talking about CDM, they mostly think of education and healthcare sectors. People don’t really see office staff like us,” Daw Mi Nge said.
To address employment opportunities for CDM workers, the Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC) established a CDM Committee on October 23, 2021. However, implementing solutions remains challenging, and efforts are ongoing, according to a KSCC CDM Committee representative.
The Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC) provides monthly financial assistance to 3,898 workers in community-run, self-reliant schools to help meet their basic needs. However, the interim administration acknowledges facing financial challenges in providing adequate salaries.
“We started from nothing, with zero funds, and have struggled to reach this point. That’s why, if the staff come to us requesting the same salaries they received before joining the CDM, it’s challenging for us to fulfill those requests,” said IEC Secretary-2 U Bayan, speaking to Kantarawaddy Times.
CDM workers, as a vital human resource, have chosen to resist military rule through nonviolent means, without external influence or encouragement. Throughout this revolutionary period, the public remains hopeful that CDM workers will continue their contributions across various sectors, driving social and economic development within the state. Despite facing significant livelihood challenges and security risks, Chairperson John emphasized the critical importance of perseverance in the ongoing struggle.
“There are CDM families enduring significant hardships, and some members suppress their struggles, leading to mental health challenges. It is imperative to ensure that the efforts of the CDM movement remain meaningful and impactful, ensuring that the world does not overlook our contributions. Our efforts are already etched into history. One day, when the revolution succeeds, we will emerge stronger and without regret. With no expectation of rewards or compensation, and solely under the banner of the CDM, we must persist on the path we have chosen until the very end. For this, we still need a great deal of strength and determinationn to get into the end,” they stated.
