Myanmar shop owners jailed for raising wages

Myanmar's junta, facing a growing popular rebellion, has plunged the country into economic crisis, reversing the gains of a decade of civilian leadership.

As Myanmar's currency plunges and inflation soars, the owner of three mobile phone stores in Mandalay announced he was giving a raise to its employees. News of his generosity quickly spread on Facebook and its employees applauded the news.

But the military regime that rules Myanmar saw things differently. Soldiers and police arrested the owner, U Pyae Phyo Zaw, closed his three stores and charged him with inciting public unrest under a vague law often used to suppress dissent, his office said. brother and an employee.

Mr. Pyae Phyo Zaw is one of ten business owners arrested in recent weeks after reports circulated online that they were increasing their employees' salaries. Raising wages has not been banned, but business owners are accused of undermining the scheme by making people believe inflation is rising, a legal expert said. They all face three years in prison.

Soldiers posted a notice outside one of Mr. Pyae Phyo Zaw's stores saying it was closed for disturbing “the peace and order of the community”. ."

Junta spokesman General Zaw Min Tun refused to respond to repeated calls from the New York Times.

“We were very grateful for the pay increase, but now the store is closed and I am not getting paid,” said the employee, who requested anonymity to avoid suspicion. be arrested. “Ordinary people like us suffer from high prices, almost to the point of despair”

The return of the army to power in a coup. State in 2021 and the popular rebellion that followed The regime plunged the country into economic crisis, reversing the progress made during a decade of quasi-democratic leadership.

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