trade union activity in Myanmar is now criminalized.

Four days ago, the chairman and five other leaders and members of the union at the Hotel Tharabar Gate in Myanamar were convicted of attempting to hold a peaceful protest march after police brutally destroyed the union's solidarity camp last December.

They were each sentenced to one month's imprisonment and arrested immediately after the verdict was pronounced.  The meaning could not be clearer: trade union activity in Myanmar is now criminalized.

Union members at the Hotel Tharabar Gate have faced management aggression since they first registered their union in 2015. Beginning in October last year, union members and their families and supporters continuously maintained a solidarity camp on public space.

Police dispatched by the local authorities destroyed the camp and then forcibly dispersed an attempted protest march to the regional government office, arresting union members and supporters. Now workers are being sent to prison for defending their rights.

Please take a moment to support the campaign just launched by the International Union of Foodworkers (IUF) - click here.

Please share this message with your friends, family and fellow union members.

Thank you.



Eric Lee

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