In Yangon, labor rights activist Daw Myo Myo Aye and eight members of the Solidarity of Trade Union Myanmar (STUM) who were arbitrarily detained by the military forces were brought before the Shwepyithar Township Court on August 18. They were charged under Section 5(1)(f)(g) of the 1961 Restriction of Movement and Probation of Offenders Act and subsequently transferred to Insein Prison. A representative from the Solidarity of Trade Union Myanmar confirmed that these labor leaders are being unjustly detained by the military authorities.
The detained labor leaders are legitimate activists working for workers’ rights, and their detention constitutes a violation of labor rights, according to labor rights advocates. Daw Myo Myo Aye and her fellow members are scheduled for another court hearing at the Shwepyithar Township Court on August 25. Additionally, on August 14, two other STUM members, John Tu Maung and Herman Oo, who were presented at the Insein and North Okkalapa Township Courts, were also charged under the same section and transferred to Insein Prison.
Labor rights experts point out that the detention of labor rights activists violates fundamental workers’ rights and contradicts international labor rights standards. The current detention of labor leaders has significantly impacted labor rights movements, raising concerns about further erosion of workers’ rights. The ongoing crackdown on labor activists has created a challenging environment for workers’ rights advocacy and has raised serious concerns about the future of labor rights protection in the country.
