In Karenni State, Burma applying for a job as a teacher, medic or a government official, among others and getting it calls for shelling out a few million Kyats.

Those unable to afford such money and people, who do not have relatives in government offices, suffer the most, said residents who have had to pay through their nose, while applying for jobs.

“They (government officers) ask people to apply for the job but during the interview they make it abundantly clear that if the applicant wants to get the job, the fee would be 500,000 Kyat and only then permission will be given to apply,” said an applicant who tried for an accountant’s job.

She could not get the accountant’s position as she could not afford to pay the fee demanded. However, her friend who could pay the amount got the coveted position.

“My friend got the job because he spent 200,000 Kyat. He is now working in Demaw Hso,” said the woman.

Those, who have close friends or relatives in the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA, do not need to pay money to apply for jobs in private firms and government offices, according to reliable sources in Loikaw, the capital of Karenni state.

“Even a person graduating from nursing school has to wait at least four and-a-half years to apply for a position. Besides they have to pay at least 4 to 5 million Kyats."

Recently, new staff appointments have been stopped until a new elected government comes to power.