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TUC protests at Burmese trade union arrests: sign the petition now!

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Burmese trade union movement

TUC condemns arrests

Action needed now!

The TUC strongly condemns the recent arrest of five Burmese trade union activitists by the military regime. The activists had just returned from attending the historic first congress of the Federation of Trade Unions Burma (FTUB) and are now believed to be held in interrogation centres on the outskirts of the capital Rangoon.

To add your voice to the call to free all Burma's political prisoners, please sign the petition hosted by the Burma Campaign UK at: www.burmacampaign.org.uk/fbppn.htm

The FTUB fears that those arrested face a serious risk of torture. It also reports that family members of the activists have also been arrested and threatened by the military.

Those arrested are peaceful campaigners for workers' rights in a country with some of the worst labour rights abuses in the world. They are:

  • U Zaw Myint Aung, 49 years old, Teacher, South Okkalapa, Rangoon
  • U Soe Oo, 37 years old, Textile Factory Worker, Shwe Pyi Thar, Rangoon
  • Maung Tun Nyein, 22 years old, Worker, Shwe Hninsi Textile factory, Hlaing Thayar, Rangoon
  • Khine Lin Myat, 22 years old, Worker, UMH Textile factory
  • Shwe Yi Nyunt, 25 years old, Nurses Aide and Law Student, University of Western Rangoon, and Member, FTUB Women's Committee

The TUC joins the FTUB and the international trade union movement in calling on the Burmese generals to immediately release these trade union activists and their families, and all political prisoners locked away in Burma's prisons. Further it calls on the regime to respect the right of workers to join independent and democratic trade unions of their own choosing, such as trade unions affiliated to the FTUB.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has protested to the Burmese regime - see http://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/burma_protest_letter.pdf and http://www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?article3241 For more details about the national congress of the FTUB visit: www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?article2848

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