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Statement on Occasion of Silver Jubilee of Workers' Movement

Today is the Silver Jubilee of Burma workers' movement. On June 6 1974,

authorities of the BSPP military dictatorship brutally suppressed the workers' movement by shooting down the demonstrating workers, at the Hsin Malaik dockyard and Thamine spinning and weaving mill, killing more than 100 and arresting more than 1,000 workers. We put on record and honor the heroic workers who went to prison, sacrificed jobs or sacrificed their lives, in the struggle for rights of the workers.

1. During the time of the political government, after independence, the workers were allowed to set up workers' organizations and unions freely.

The workers had the right to demand the government or the employers for the redress of their grievances or improve their working conditions. After the seizure of power, Gen. Ne Win abolished all workers' organizations and made the government to control the affairs of the workers, directly. Under the supervision of the BSPP, the Workers' Council was later formed and the workers were strictly controlled with a system of red tape. Unlike during the time of the parliamentary system of government, as the workers totally lost the freedom to negotiate for their rights, on an equal basis, they became just like puppets and the guarantee for their life disappeared completely.

2. After the seizure of power by the military on September 18, 1988, the Workers' Council of the BSPP was also abolished. Nowadays, there is not a single organization of the workers', in Burma. Far from having any workers' rights or privileges, the workers have to be much careful, in order not to be dismissed from their jobs. The military has not done anything for the workers' safety at work or the security of their life. On the other hand, they are forced to contribute labor for road repair, bridge construction and renovation of pagodas, which have nothing to do with their work. In addition, they have to contribute to the collection of funds under various names. Though the workers are being exploited ruthlessly, there is no way for them to demand for rights or the redress of their grievances, as there are no workers' unions and organizations.

3. Since 1948, Burma has been a member of the International Labor Organization (ILO). Though the SPDC (SLORC) military junta has the responsibility to respect the ILO Charter, it has not done so up to this day. The ILO has urged the SPDC to abide by the provisions of the Charter, on several occasions, but the SPDC has ignored contemptuously. As the SPDC has consistently refused to abide by the provisions of the ILO Charter, the ILO has to issue a warning, after a number of hearings, to the effect that the membership of Burma would be suspended, in case of further failure by the SPDC to abide by provisions of the Charter. Up to this day, the SPDC has continued to bar the rights of the workers to form unions, to engage in organizing activities and to petition for grievances, as demanded by the ILO.

4. Under the rule of the military dictatorship, there will never be the freedom for the workers to form unions, to have workers' rights, fair salaries etc. Only when a democratic government can be formed, the workers will gain these rights. Therefore, we, the NCGUB, urge the entire workers of Burma to take a leading role by progressively assaulting the SPDC, in the fight for their rights and democracy, in the spirit of the heroic workers who took part in the workers' movement of June 6, 1974.

June 6, 1999