Chin People were forced to construct road without wages by USDA

10 June 2009: 

KCho Chin people are being forced to construct a road in Kanpelet Township by the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) in Kanpelet Town, Southern Chin State, in western Burma.

Chin People made to construct road without wages by USDA

"We have started work from April. A link road between Hmuchinding and Cin dwe villages, a stretch of 30 miles, will allow motor cars to travel on the road. The construction work is being led by USDA with 20 neighboring villages. We have been divided into five groups and told to construct a specific number of meters of the road. We have almost finished 16 miles," a local said.

The construction of the link road between Hmuchinding and Cindwe village has been sponsored by "I Love Myanmar" which is a non government organization (NGO). However, the USDA does not pay daily wages to the villagers who are involved in the project.

Although the USDA has spent all the sponsored funds for buying digging equipment, people’s labour is more useful for the work. "Especially they're using people’s energy. The machines can't handle crushing of big stones," he added.

On the other hand, one of the USDA leaders told workers "The construction of the road is none of our business but we are only doing it to help transportation between the two villages. It will be beneficial for students who go to school in Hmuchinding village."

There are about 70 houses with approximately 500 people in Hmuchinding village. The village has a Middle School where most students from neighbouring villages attend. "I Love Myanmar" will sponsor a new High School building next year.

Similarly, people are being forced to build a road between Mukwe Inu village and Mindat town by the USDA.

Meanwhile, the workers are anxious about their livelihood as they are being forced into road construction by the USDA without getting paid. They are worried about their family. Yet, they want to complete the project as it would mean better transportation between the two villages and will help their children’s education.