On Tuesday, May 10, 2023, labor advocates strongly denounced the brutal killing of trade union leaders and workers by the military regime in Myanmar. The regime’s ongoing crackdown on dissent and its appalling disregard for human rights have drawn widespread condemnation from the international community..
The killings took place on May 9, 2023, in the Hlaingthaya industrial zone on the outskirts of Yangon. According to reports, security forces opened fire on a group of protesters who were demanding better working conditions and the release of detained colleagues. Six people were killed and several others injured in the incident..
Among the victims were Ma Htet Htet Naing, a garment worker and a member of the United Federation of Myanmar Trade Unions (UMFTU), and Myo Myat Aung, a labor activist who had been providing support to striking workers. Their deaths have sent shockwaves through the labor community and beyond..
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has condemned the killings in the strongest possible terms, calling them a “heinous crime” and a “blatant violation of international law.” Sharan Burrow, the ITUC General Secretary, stated that “the military regime’s brutal crackdown on workers and trade unions is a desperate attempt to silence dissent and suppress the legitimate aspirations of the people of Myanmar.”.
The ITUC has called on the United Nations and the international community to take immediate action to stop the violence and hold the perpetrators accountable. It has also urged the regime to immediately release all detained trade unionists and workers, and to respect the fundamental rights of all citizens..
The killings have sparked outrage and condemnation from labor unions and human rights organizations around the world. The AFL-CIO, the largest labor federation in the United States, has called on the Biden administration to take concrete steps to support the people of Myanmar and to pressure the regime to end its reign of terror..
The International Labor Organization (ILO) has also condemned the killings and called on the regime to respect workers’ rights and fundamental freedoms. The ILO has urged the regime to engage in genuine social dialogue with trade unions and to create an environment in which workers can exercise their rights without fear of reprisal..
The killings of Ma Htet Htet Naing, Myo Myat Aung, and the other victims are a stark reminder of the brutality of the military regime in Myanmar. The international community must not turn a blind eye to these atrocities and must take decisive action to support the people of Myanmar in their struggle for democracy and human rights..
