Global bodies urge Western brands to condemn Myanmar military coup

27 Feb '21

2 min read

Pic: War on want

Several international organisations have issued a joint statement calling for the military to release those detained and reinstate the democratic process in Myanmar. In a coup on February 1, the country’s military junta arrested elected leaders and activists. “We stand in solidarity with the striking workers and the calls for a general strike,” it said.

Workers, including many in the garment industry have gone on strike in reaction to the coup and are taking part in mass demonstrations on a daily basis, the statement said.

The signatories include Burma Campaign UK, Fashion Roundtable, GMB Union, Homeworkers Worldwide, Labour Behind the Label, No Sweat, Unison, Unite the Union, Traidcraft Exchange and War on Want.

“We fully support the trade union federations in Myanmar that have suspended all involvement in the tripartite mechanisms that had worked with the government on labour issues, citing fears of a return to the brutal and oppressive practices against workers perpetrated by the military junta in the past. Myanmar’s trade union federations are calling for Western brands to take action and help end the military coup,” the statement said.

The statement urge all brands operating in Myanmar to publicly join the international condemnation of the military coup and support the protests for democracy; exercise due diligence for any trade in the country ensuring no business or investment ties directly linked with the military; ensure that businesses do not contribute to or aggravate human rights violations when working with businesses and suppliers not tied to the military in Myanmar; ensure the job security and wage payments of striking or protesting workers, and make sure no worker or union leader is punished for going on strike or joining the demonstrations against the coup.

It also urged factories to protect workers in areas where the security situation, or a heavy police or military presence makes them feel unsafe going into work, ensuring they are not forced into work, and are not penalized or face loss of wages.

“We call on brands to make these commitments public and to encourage other companies to follow suit. The international community needs to come together to put economic pressure on Myanmar’s military, without negatively impacting the lives and well-being of the people of Myanmar,” the statement added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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