Wanbao prioritizes hiring of compensated residents

The Myanmar Wanbao Copper Mining Ltd, operating the copper mining project in Salingyi Township, will appoint residents from 26 villages in the project area to trainee positions in the company.  

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a member of the Employment Committee of the Myanmar Wanbao, said that the people who gave up their land and have received compensation will be given top priority in order to secure their livelihoods. Residents of Salingyi Township in Sagaing Region will get the highest priority, the committee member said.

Hlaing Min Oo, a member of Generation Youth organization said, "Giving priority only to residents who received the compensation is discrimination. It shows their lack of transparency. They should give priority to all who want these jobs. They are discriminating residents who did not receive compensation."

This is the second time the Myanmar Wanbao have advertized job openings. 350 job vacancies have been advertisement, and positions include machine operators, electricians, mechanics, lab assistants and factory officials.

According to an official at the Myanmar Wanbao company, 125 residents from Sagaing Region were employed in the first batch.

Tin Thein living in the Tone Ywarthit Village in the project area said, "There are many university graduates in the villages. Most of them did not apply to these jobs. Though some applied, only one or two applicants from each village got jobs."

The job criterion says that  applicants must have a university degree or a diploma in mechanical or electrical engineering. They must be aged between 18 and 45.

The company will provide job training for the first five months of their employment and each trainee will receive a stipend of MMK 100000 per month. After the five month period, the employees will receive full salary.

On November 29, 2012, about 100 Buddhist monks and some residents were injured during the riot-police's violent crackdown on protest-camps in the project area. Thereafter, there were protests against the copper mining project across the country.

Consequently, the government formed an Investigation Committee led by Aung San Suu Kyi to assess whether the project should be shut down, and to investigate the violent crackdown on protestors and compensations for confiscated lands. The committee supported the continuation of the project.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/wanbao-prioritizes-hiring-of-compensated-residents/