Local businessman provides part-time jobs for students in Thandwe

By DMG 30 Dec 2022

DMG Newsroom
30 December 2022, Thandwe

A business owner in Thandwe Township has provided part-time jobs for students from the Government Technical Institute (GTI) in the town during their holidays so that they can have an income and learn to make good use of their time.

The students are employed part-time at four filling stations in Thandwe and some restaurants at Ngapali Beach on weekends, said fuel supplier U Thein Shwe from Thandwe.

“Myanmar is a poor country. Parents have to bear the education costs for their children until they matriculate or graduate. So, I have provided part-time jobs so that children do not need to rely entirely on their parents, and gain work experience. I am working to provide more job opportunities for university students,” he said.

There will be better job prospects for younger generations if other business owners and the government provide part-time jobs in Arakan State, said U Thein Shwe.

Some 100 GTI students — about 60 males and 40 females — are working part-time jobs in businesses owned by U Thein Shwe, earning a wage of K6,000 to K8,000 per day, according to the students.

One such student, Ko Aung Khit Min, said he has benefitted from the part-time job by gaining work experience and improving interpersonal skills.

“Some come to gain experience, and some come to earn income. We can now do accounts. We already have work experience when we graduate,” he said.

U Thein Shwe started his plan to arrange part-time jobs for GTI students in 2019, but he had to postpone when his businesses were hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and could only resume the plan in October of this year.

University students in other parts of Arakan State also want to have part-time jobs in their towns.

“Day students need part-time jobs. We can’t do full-time jobs like distance learners. I am from Kyaukphyu and am attending Sittwe University. Hostel rent and food cost me a lot. So, I want to do a part-time job and earn an income. It would be great if there are part-time jobs like those in Thandwe,” said university student Ma Khin Sandar Aye.

Ma Thinzar Phyo from Taungup University said she too wants a part-time job on weekends.

“There are few part-time jobs in Arakan available for day students,” she said.

University students in Arakan State are also suffering from a general increase in costs of living amid post-coup political turmoil in Myanmar.