[Myanmar] Unions and workers on frontlines of fight against coup

Late in the evening of February 26, the Myanmar military appeared on public television to declare most of the country's labour organisations illegal. Threats were made of arrests if their activities should continue, making international solidarity activities all the more urgent, Labor Notes reports.

This news follows the events of February 1 when the Myanmar military staged a coup and seized power from the elected civilian government under the pretext of alleged election fraud. The coup leaders reportedly detained top government leaders and activists, shut off the internet, and suspended flights. Marking a dark chapter in Myanmar’s precarious, decade-long, experiment with partial democratisation.

The coup threatens to reverse democratic rights gains in the country. A strong labour movement has been growing for a decade through militant struggle by factory workers, preparing them to make a strong stand in the current uprising. Building on the growing walkouts by public and private sector workers throughout February, the general strikes since February 22 are now offering the best hope to resist the coup and to build a stronger labour movement beyond it.

Workers revolt

Soon after the coup was declared, a massive, civil disobedience movement emerged, with workers and trade unions at its heart. In one of the earliest mobilisations, medical workers from over 110 hospitals and health departments in 50 townships across Myanmar were among the first who rose up and went on strike, two days after the coup. In one government hospital, 38 out of 40 doctors and 50 out of 70 nurses participated. (Links via original reporting)

“There is no way we can work under a dictatorship,” Dr Kyaw Zin - a surgeon who led one of the first strikes - said. “I am pretty sure we can bring down the regime. We will never go back to work until [Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the coup leader] steps down. He has no right to tell us to come to work because no one recognises him as the leader.”

The trade union federations mobilised fast. The Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) - the largest trade union federation in Myanmar - called for the first general strike on February 8. Despite threats of arrest and growing repressive tactics from the government, workers in a wide range of sectors; including garbage collectors, firefighters, electricity workers, private bank employees and garment workers, initiated waves of strikes and many joined street demonstrations.

Teachers were quick to join the movement alongside their students. Seven teachers’ unions - including the 100,000-strong Myanmar Teachers’ Federation, covering primary and higher education and monastery schools - announced work stoppages.

Journalists have also been walking off of the job. In response to the coup and threats to media freedom, members of the Myanmar Press Council and more than a dozen journalists at The Myanmar Times resigned. (Links via original reporting)

Late in the evening of February 26, the Myanmar military appeared on public television to declare most of the country's labour organisations illegal. Threats were made of arrests if their activities should continue, making international solidarity activities all the more urgent, Labor Notes reports.

This news follows the events of February 1 when the Myanmar military staged a coup and seized power from the elected civilian government under the pretext of alleged election fraud. The coup leaders reportedly detained top government leaders and activists, shut off the internet, and suspended flights. Marking a dark chapter in Myanmar’s precarious, decade-long, experiment with partial democratisation.

The coup threatens to reverse democratic rights gains in the country. A strong labour movement has been growing for a decade through militant struggle by factory workers, preparing them to make a strong stand in the current uprising. Building on the growing walkouts by public and private sector workers throughout February, the general strikes since February 22 are now offering the best hope to resist the coup and to build a stronger labour movement beyond it.

Workers revolt

Soon after the coup was declared, a massive, civil disobedience movement emerged, with workers and trade unions at its heart. In one of the earliest mobilisations, medical workers from over 110 hospitals and health departments in 50 townships across Myanmar were among the first who rose up and went on strike, two days after the coup. In one government hospital, 38 out of 40 doctors and 50 out of 70 nurses participated. (Links via original reporting)

“There is no way we can work under a dictatorship,” Dr Kyaw Zin - a surgeon who led one of the first strikes - said. “I am pretty sure we can bring down the regime. We will never go back to work until [Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the coup leader] steps down. He has no right to tell us to come to work because no one recognises him as the leader.”

The trade union federations mobilised fast. The Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) - the largest trade union federation in Myanmar - called for the first general strike on February 8. Despite threats of arrest and growing repressive tactics from the government, workers in a wide range of sectors; including garbage collectors, firefighters, electricity workers, private bank employees and garment workers, initiated waves of strikes and many joined street demonstrations.

Teachers were quick to join the movement alongside their students. Seven teachers’ unions - including the 100,000-strong Myanmar Teachers’ Federation, covering primary and higher education and monastery schools - announced work stoppages.

Journalists have also been walking off of the job. In response to the coup and threats to media freedom, members of the Myanmar Press Council and more than a dozen journalists at The Myanmar Times resigned. (Links via original reporting)