Solidarity Statement for the Struggle of Burma Working Class

Workers at the Taiyi shoe factory and Opal 2 garment factory began a strike on Monday, 8 February 2010. They are demanding an increase in salary of 10.000 Kyat (US$ 10), a reduction of working hours and the provision of a clean space for meal. The strike started in the Mya Fashion garment factory in No. 3 Factory Zone of Rangoon’s Hlaing Thrayar Township.

Now they are being blocked by riot police trucks, at least 50 trucks packed with riot police carrying assault rifles and shields were dispatched. They are prevented from leaving the factory zone and no one has been allowed to enter. Police securing roads surrounding the Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone, about 11 km outside the biggest city, Yangon.

Overall the working condition in Burma is worse. The Burmese military regime is pro foreign capital and depends on cheap wage and deplorable working condition to attract foreign investments. Like other democratic rights in Burma, the democratic rights of workers like freedom to form trade unions is also being repressed.

The rise of working class is a good sign for the possibility of fundamental changes in Burma. The rise of working class should be supported by all peoples’ movements in Burma and internationally. Seeing that we the undersigned organizations and political parties support the struggle of Burma’s working class and demand:

1. The workers’ just demands must be fulfilled

2. Reject any form of repression of workers

3. Full democratic rights for the workers including the right to organize, build independent trade union and to form political parties.

We declare our fullest support to the People of Burma to build a democratic Burma. Because only with a democratic Burma prosperity and justice can be achieved.

[This regional statement has been signed by the Working Peoples Association (Indonesia), Singapore Democratic Party, Socialist Party of Malaysia, Socialist Alternative (Australia), Confederation Congress of Indonesia Union Alliance, Socialist Workers (New Zealand), Socialist Alliance (Australia), Young Democrats (Singapore), Partido ng Manggangawa (Philippine), Congress of South African Trade Unions and the Partido Lakas ng Masa (Philippine). If your organisation wants to sign this joint statement, please contact international@prp-indonesia.org.]