Our work in production countries - © Myanmar now media 01 February 2022 International brands must act and stop production in Myanmar On 1 February 2021, the military couped in Myanmar, arrested the elected members of the government and took power. Four days later, a general strike began with numerous street protests, known as the Civil Disobedience Movement. At the forefront are Myanmar's textile workers. To this day, their protest is violently suppressed, trade unionists arrested and killed. International brands must act and stop production in Myanmar to weaken the military regime. With street rallies, noise protests, red ribbons and the three-finger symbol, the people of Myanmar have been resisting the military for a year, which put itself in power by dissolving parliament. Together with the police, the regime reacts with violence to the nationwide, peaceful protests. According to a statement from the Campaign for Clean Clothes (CCC), nearly 9,000 people have been imprisoned and around 1,500 have been killed since then. Among the victims and detainees are trade union leaders and workers in the textile industry, who are still at the heart of the protests of civil disobedience. Civil disobedience movement (CDM), stand. Factory owners and employers are reportedly using the coup to undermine workers' rights. Permanent employees are dismissed and replaced by temporary workers. Employers work with the military regime by spying on active trade unionists and passing names of trade union members to the military. Most union organizers are now submerged, but still active in the movement. Although the wages of textile workers in Myanmar are among the lowest in the world, multinational companies are an important source of income for the military regime. The clothing industry in Myanmar accounts for about 30% of the country's exports. As a result of the EU's preferred trade agreement Everything but Arms (EBA) exports more than half of Myanmar's total textile production to Europe duty-free. International brands thus have the opportunity and the duty to put pressure on the regime by stopping production in Myanmar and paying compensation to the textile workers in order to stand in solidarity with them and ensure their protection from persecution. In addition, FEMNET is calling for an end to the preferential EU trade agreement EBA with companies for Myanmar and for no further orders to be placed in Myanmar. The EU and the US must impose comprehensive economic sanctions to weaken the military regime. The largest trade unions in Myanmar have joined forces and are calling on manufacturers to withdraw responsibly from the country. More information The joint statement by Global Women’s Strike and No Sweat The textile workers in Myanmar, who are courageously committed to freedom and justice, need our support! Donate now!
