Many home based garment factories in Myawaddy, Kayin State closed due to power shortage continued for a month according to sources.

Exchanged for fire occurred on August 20 near Kawthne village, Kawkareik Township, Kayin State which destroyed 2 transmission towers and as a result, Myawaddy, Kawkareik and Kyarin Seikgyi Townships were unable to access electricity.

Home based garment factories previously opened in Mae Sot, Thailand moved to Myawaddy, Kayin State and continued their operation using generators when the entire nation got electricity three hours gap. But now, they closed their businesses as electricity was completely cut off in the area.

“Most of the small scale businesses especially home based garment factories operate their business with 20 sewing motors plus 30 workers. Even when we got electricity in limited time amount, we used generators. The cost of using generators was Ks.50000 as fuel prices were high. The workers’ families are in great difficulty as most of the factories closed,” said an owner of a factory.

The hope of getting electricity in Myawaddy faded when two electricians repairing the transmission tower near Kawkareik were shot to death by armed men. Grassroots levels in Myawaddy have to recharge their batteries in assigned places for phone charging and to illuminate houses.