RAKHINE MIGRANT WORKERS IN HLAINGTHAYA TOWNSHIP, YANGON: THEIR WORKING AND LIVING CONDITIONS

Abstract

Rakhine State, known as Arakan to the outside world for centuries, has suffered from massive migration throughout the decades. As a result, Rakhine migrants are currently scattered both internally and internationally. Despite its rich natural resources, Rakhine State has the scarcest employment opportunity in Myanmar for more than a decade. Furthermore, the rate of youth migration and settlement in new environments out of Rakhine State has intensified. Although migrants also go to Kachin State, Thailand, and Malaysia, the number of people flocking to Yangon has outnumbered other places. In Yangon, many Rakhine migrants are working in industrial zones. Strong migration and social networks and proximity to Yangon are some of the factors facilitating migration. As Hlaingthaya industrial zone is one of the largest zones in Yangon, many Rakhine migrant workers fulfill enormous labour requirements so that industries run smoothly. Using mixed methods, the purpose of this study is to describe and understand the working and living conditions of Rakhine migrant workers in Hlaingthaya Industrial City. In doing so, this study also identifies the reasons for their migration. These reasons include limited employment opportunities, lack of employment options, the locals’ willingness to work in Yangon, and the quest to improve their lives. Despite these, their lives have not changed significantly in Yangon but they do not wish to go back to Rakhine State as there are no opportunities for employment availability and the peace and order situation has not improved. Thus, thesis concludes that, so long as employment opportunities are not created in Rakhine State, the migrants’ desire to return home is unlikely to materialize and in fact more migration will happen instead.