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A coalition of trade unions in Myanmar today called for a national strike beginning March 8 to protest the military coup.
In a statement, nine organizations representing Myanmar workers urged “all people” to stop working in an effort to demand the return to power of the military after the radical change that toppled the elected government on Tuesday.
“Continuing business activities and maintaining the economy as usual … will only benefit the military while they are suppressing the energy of the Myanmar people,” union 9 announced. “It is time for us to act to protect democracy. We ask. .. a complete long-term economic shutdown. “
Protesters lined the streets of Yangon, Myanmar, on March 6. Picture: Reuters.
Andrew Tillett-Saks, Myanmar representative for the Solidarity Center, a US-based workers’ advocacy group, said many unions will go on a general strike immediately.
“But more importantly, it will open the door of opportunity to attract more people from the private sector to answer the call in the days and weeks that follow … This is a strategy that could actually be. Military.” Tillett-Saks said.
The trade unions’ call came after Khin Maung Latt, a National Coalition for Democracy (NLD) party official of Myanmar State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi, died last night while being arrested by police. The cause of death is currently unclear.
Ba Myo Thein, a member of the Myanmar Senate who disbanded after the coup, said reports of a bruise on Khin Maung Latt’s head and body are raising suspicions.
“It appears that he was arrested at night and tortured,” Myo Thein told Reuters. “This is completely unacceptable behavior.”
Police in Pabedan, a district of Yangon city where Khin Maung Latt was arrested, declined to comment.
Tens of thousands of people continued to protest across Myanmar today, marking one of the largest days of protest.
Myanmar’s military has recently dispatched forces to major cities to avoid anti-coup protests that have shown no signs of cooling. Burmese remain determined to take to the streets to protest against the military government despite living “bloody days”, which caused dozens of deaths, including children.
Vu hoang (Follow, continue Reuters)
