NCGUB Statement (r)

[mandalay@xxxxxxxxxx]

NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA

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

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