Our work in production countries -

Protesting teachers in May 2021.

Despite the arrest of labor rights activist Myo Myo Aye: Myanmar workers continue to resist

For more than three months, the people of Myanmar have been fighting against the tyranny of the military. Peaceful protesters within the Civil disobedience movements (CDM) to the "Spring Revolution".

Since the beginning of the takeover by the military on February 1, according to the AAPP (Assistance Association for Political Prisoners759 civilians were murdered by the coup. Activists and trade unionists are the focus of the persecution. In mid-March, the military regime declared a number of labour rights organizations illegal, including eight partner organizations of the Clean clothes campaign. In order to avoid reprisals and arrests, most people only have to go underground.

The arrest of Myo Myo Aye shows how dangerous the situation has become for workers and human rights activists as a result of the military taking power. On 15 April, the trade unionist and director of STUMM (Solidarity of Trade Unions in MyanmarForcedly abducted from her office and illegally arrested. Already during a visit to Germany in 2018, during which she was also in contact with FEMNET, she pointed out the precarious labour law situation of the garment workers in Myanmar in conversations with company members from the Textile Alliance.

Today, three years later, it is unions and workers who are leading the resistance to tyranny. The price is high: Demonstrators must fear searches, arbitrariness and arrests; It is not uncommon for the protests to end fatally, as was recently the case in the industrial suburb of Hlaing Tharyar in Yangon, where 60 people fell victim to violence.

But the workers remain strong in the fight for a democratic Myanmar With the ‘Spring Revolution’ proclaimed at the beginning of May, the protesters go far beyond pro-democratic movements of the past. No less than a genuine democracy without compromise, a far more just, inclusive and united society - for this goal, people strike, protest peacefully, boycott and carry out acts of civil disobedience.

It is above all women, above all the employees of the textile industry, who are at the centre of the protest movement and oppose not only the military itself, but also the misogynist and traditional social norms represented by it, with a lot of commitment, creativity and courage. At the same time, they are hitting the effects of the political and economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic particularly hard. In addition to the general poor order situation, there are now also the boycotts of Western fashion companies, which have broken off their ties to the country due to the uncertain situation. However, workers who were able to keep their jobs hardly make ends meet. The evening curfew no longer allows for overtime - for many so far a vital necessity to improve the already meager income. The sharp rise in the prices of food and products for daily needs is exacerbating the situation for the population and for a country in what is arguably its most profound political crisis.

FEMNET stands with textile workers and trade unionists, They risk their lives in opposition to inhumane tyranny. We are deeply concerned about the events and the arrest of Myo Myo Aye. Together with the Clean Clothes Campaign, we demand their immediate release.

Every donation to the Myanmar Support Fund helps.

Related links: