Published November 22, 2005

The oil price hike has severely compromised local military government employees from towns having to work in rural areas. They face problems daily because of the price rise.

Teachers and employees of different government departments, appointed to work in villages, far from towns claim that the bus fare or a car ride cost they incur was higher than their salaries.

Teachers and employees receive around 10,000 Kyat per month and their transportation cost per day is at least 500 Kyat. “If you get the “Hondy” bus, it is cheap. Otherwise we have to spend a thousand Kyat a day,” a teacher from Mudon town, teaching in a village said. Hondy buses are run by “Retired Military Government Veterans.”

In southern Burma, bus fares started going up over the last three months and the fares touched 1000 Kyat for one way to a town. Before the fuel price rise, the bus fare was only 150 Kyat to 200 Kyat.

“I sympathise with these teachers. When they meet a kind bus driver they are taken in. Some buses do not carry teachers or employee because they cannot pay the amount of fare claimed,” Ko Myat Kyaw said.

Teachers are seriously affected and some have started giving tuitions or teach overtime in schools and demand money from students. “My baby’s school demanded 150 Kyat from each student to meet the needs of teachers. I am afraid my son will not pass his examinations if I do not pay,” a Kamarwat villager said.

According to sources close to teachers in the area, teachers demand 150 Kyat per student in primary schools and 200 Kyats from those in middle school for covering their travelling costs.

People are shocked at the oil price hike and they claim oil prices are increasing by the day. Currently the oil price is 4000 Kayt per gallon. Two month ago oil prices were only around 1500 Kyat per gallon.