Since the Myanmar military issued the curfew (also known as Article 144), which restricts people from being outdoors from 8pm to 4am, rubber plantation workers in Mon are unable to collect tree sap.
“Before, I went to the rubber plantation around 11 or 12 at night to collect the rubber tree sap. We go at this time because the temperature is still cold, and that is when rubber trees produce more sap. But now we have the curfew, preventing us from going out between 8 PM to 4 AM. So, I can only go to the plantation after 4 AM and it’s almost dawn. It is not a good time to collect the sap. When the sun rises, the temperature increases and there is less sap. For us, it is not working,” said one worker from Mudon Township.
The military authority is also driving around with loudspeakers at night , in the wards and quarters instructing people not to gather in groups of more than 5 people on the roads, streets, gardens or other public places.
“It is not that we are afraid. It is our work that we are doing. But with this current situation, we have to be cautious. Yet, what we got is not worth it,” said Nai Seik Rot, a rubber sap harvester from Thanbyuzayat Township.
Other workers in the sector are cautious about the new situation.
“In the morning, I leave for the plantation before 4 AM. But I am of course scared because of the curfew order that has been given. But if we go to the plantation after 4 AM, it’ll be late and the amount of sap is very little. So, it’ll be good if we can travel like before, freely. Now, it does not work much,” said a female villager, who is also a rubber-sap harvester, from Mudon Township.
Due to the curfew, there are almost no travelers on the roads, which also creates difficulties for the country’s transportation system as trucks are also not allowed to be on the roads during the curfew period.
The Myanmar Military claims the curfew is to maintain stability and peace. But to date over 70 people have been killed by the military or police forces and countless others injured. Protests against the coup continue across the country.
