Federation of Trade Unions Burma FTUB calls for release of all trade unionists. Forced Labor, Child Soldier, Prisoner Labor, Money laundering still continue. Sanctions discussion too early.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) October 14, 2011 -- 2011 October 14

Statement on the release of FTUB members and the need to release all trade union activists.

The Federation of Trade Unions Burma FTUB salutes U Myo Aung Thant, U Thein Lwin Oo, U Than Win, U Hla Soe,U Tin Oo, U Ye Myint, U Tin Hla, Daw AyeThi Khaing, Daw Aye Chan, Daw Yin Kyi, Daw Lay Lay Mon, Daw Than Than Htay, U Ye Tun Min, U Zaw Min Naing on their release on 2011 October 12. FTUB also salutes U Aung Moe and Daw Thein Thein Aye on their release.

FTUB calls for the release of Ko Thurein Aung, Ko Kyaw Kyaw, Ko Kyaw Min, Ko Myo Min, Ko Zaw Zaw, Ko Wai Lin, Ko Zaw Zaw Aung, Daw Ohnmar, Daw Chaw Su Hlaing, Daw Khaing Mar Soe, U Hla Myint Than, U Win Myint, U Kyin Thein, U Kan Myint, U Khin Maung Cho, U Myint Soe, U Khin Maung Win and U Aung Thein.

We also look forward to the inquiry and report to the ILO and the ITUC by the Human Rights Commitee regarding the death of U Aung Myint Thein who passed away during detention.

FTUB salutes our members and their famalies for the strength in withstanding the social and economic pressures placed upon by the successive juntas and the USDA.

FTUB would like to thank the international labor solidarity for their support to the arrested members, the consistant pressure in all international forums as well as through the ILO for change in Burma.

FTUB recognizes the effort by the Parliament and the goverment on their initiatives.

FTUB calls upon the new government to respect the Labor Organization Law they passed and not interfer with organizing activities by the workers and the trade union rights activists. Transparency is not achieved by just passing laws and asking for others to say so. Transparency will only be ackowledged by others when those who are in power practice, and respect their own laws.

Passing the Labor Organization Law and releasing of FTUB members just before the ILO's Governing Body may have helped the present government avoid the call by the Workers Group and the Employers Group for a Commission of Inquiry on Freedom of Association. It does not mean that FoA is being practiced.

Moreover, Forced Labor, Prisoner Labor still continues. These violatiosn are evident during the military attacks in the Kachin state, Karen state and Shan state. Child soldiers are still being conscripted. There are also many FTUB members and trade union activist still in jail. These are the issues that invited the withdrawal of GSP from the EU and the USA, the Trade embargos on Burma and unless these are tackled, FTUB will continue our call for continued pressure until all these initiatives become irreversible changes for a democratic society where independent trade unions flourish.

Narcotics and Money laundering are still not controlled. The national budget is still abused by military for the obsolete Nuclear and Long range missile projects and the military continues working with a rogue state. These are issues that invited the financial services sanctions on Burma and unless these are discussed at the Parliament and solutions are discussed and made into laws, FTUB will continue to request to the international communty for continued financial sanctions.

Contact: U Maung Maung 1 571 234 9258

Dr. Zaw Win Aung 91 987 157 8569

Burma     Forced Labor     Freeodom of Association     FTUB     ILO     Money laundering     Myanmar     Sanctions