For many years, the U.S. government criticized the Myanmar military run government as being brutal and repressive. Now, although that government became "civilian" last March and has only slightly eased restrictions, suddenly everything is different as the U.S. moves to reestablish diplomatic relations and end trade sanctions. What happened? Cheaper labor from a compliant government happened.
The U.S. and China are looking for cheaper labor sources, as the cost of labor in China is rising. And what better place to find it than the former British colony of Burma, now known as Myanmar, where much of the labor force will gladly work long hours for as little as $2.60 a day. It is a capitalist's dream as giant multinational U.S. and other companies can readily create jobs there rather than in more expensive and environmentally sensitive areas such as in the U.S.
Hopefully, Myanmar will be encouraged to treat its citizens better, providing education, housing and medical care and hopefully not child labor but for now, this is about U.S. and other corporate exploitation of very poor people, but with a far better media spin on it.
Dick
To learn more, please see "Washington Resumes Full Myanmar Ties: Release of Political Prisoners Responds to a Key U.S. Demand; Focus Turns to Congress Over Future of Sanctions," The Wall Street Journal, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204409004577157753489304474.html and "U.S. Restores Full Ties to Myanmar After Rapid Reforms," The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/14/world/asia/united-states-resumes-diplomatic-relations-with-myanmar.html
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