Published
Monday, February 4, 2008 - 15:16
Burmese agents make piles of money for getting passports done
Agents in Burma making passports in Rangoon are into a thriving business as more and more people continue to migrate to other countries seeking jobs.
Agents in Burma making passports in Rangoon are into a thriving business as more and more people continue to migrate to other countries seeking jobs.
Every day about 800 people register for passports at the Burmese Embassy said an agent. The agents get Kyat 80,000 for getting one passport done.
"We can say this generates good income in Burma " said an agent.
"This is my apartment. I own three apartments designed like offices for making passports" he said.
"This is how good the business is making agents wealthy and allowing some to own three apartments. He has seven computers on the first floor for an internet café. He has a mobile phone and a car. It seems he is rich" said a youth who just applied for a passport.
"Most agents have a nexus with the police in the passport office. Many people queue up in the office. Those who don't want to stand in line go to the agents. The agents just go to the passport officer's room and the police help them" said the youth.
The application forms are filled by the agent and the applicants are just sign the form. "Agents bribed the police in front of me," he said.
According to the law in Burma , the junta does not allow agents to get passports done and after applying, one has to wait for six weeks to get it.
However, there are many women and men agents and if the applicant needs the passport quickly, one can bribe 400,000 kyat to the police, said the agent.
According to the youth, two policemen were standing at the door and checking people who entered the office. The office was full of people. There was no space in the sitting room as more than 100 applicants were waiting for the senior police officer to sign on the form.
Burma has 54 million people. Most people applying for passports are between 20 and 30 years of age. They are from different parts of Burma . Many of them go to Malaysia and Thailand .
The Burmese junta's economic mismanagement has led to massive unemployment and poverty. Hundred thousand of people move to other countries for work every day.
Every day about 800 people register for passports at the Burmese Embassy said an agent. The agents get Kyat 80,000 for getting one passport done.
"We can say this generates good income in Burma " said an agent.
"This is my apartment. I own three apartments designed like offices for making passports" he said.
"This is how good the business is making agents wealthy and allowing some to own three apartments. He has seven computers on the first floor for an internet café. He has a mobile phone and a car. It seems he is rich" said a youth who just applied for a passport.
"Most agents have a nexus with the police in the passport office. Many people queue up in the office. Those who don't want to stand in line go to the agents. The agents just go to the passport officer's room and the police help them" said the youth.
The application forms are filled by the agent and the applicants are just sign the form. "Agents bribed the police in front of me," he said.
According to the law in Burma , the junta does not allow agents to get passports done and after applying, one has to wait for six weeks to get it.
However, there are many women and men agents and if the applicant needs the passport quickly, one can bribe 400,000 kyat to the police, said the agent.
According to the youth, two policemen were standing at the door and checking people who entered the office. The office was full of people. There was no space in the sitting room as more than 100 applicants were waiting for the senior police officer to sign on the form.
Burma has 54 million people. Most people applying for passports are between 20 and 30 years of age. They are from different parts of Burma . Many of them go to Malaysia and Thailand .
The Burmese junta's economic mismanagement has led to massive unemployment and poverty. Hundred thousand of people move to other countries for work every day.
