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Anger as Burmese government murders trade unionist
24 May 2005
International trade union body the ITF is promising to work to isolate Burma even further outside the community of civilised nations, following the murder of a trade union organiser.
The ITF has launched a protest appeal after the Seafarers’ Union of Burma (SUB) notified it of the killing following torture of Ko Moe Naung (38), its organiser in the Ranong Region. According to the SUB he was arrested at 20:00 on 19 May and was dead three hours later, after being tortured by members of the Burmese army’s Light Infantry Regiment 431. The SUB is affiliated to the ITF, and operates from Thailand, since trade unions are prohibited by the military government of Burma (Myanmar), the ‘State Peace and Development Council’.
The ITF has immediately lodged protests with the Burmese government and is asking trade unions, trade unionists and concerned people everywhere to express their disgust at this latest murder by adding their voices (see www.itfglobal.org/solidarity/index.cfm)
In a letter to the head of the military junta ITF General Secretary David Cockroft said: “We understand that Ko Moe was a dedicated trade union leader, who was organizing Burmese fishermen and migrant workers from Burma. It is clear that he was targeted by the SPDC regime because of these activities.
“This murder vividly highlights yet again the unacceptable brutality of the SPDC military regime. The ITF will continue to expose and condemn such actions and today is calling upon transport workers’ unions worldwide to join in energetic protests at this horrific killing.
“The international business community must no longer tolerate the Burmese military regime’s stance of stamping out all forms of trade union organization, with no regard for human life. The ITF, together with the wider international trade union movement, is addressing this point with transport, tourism and other transnational companies to ensure that whilst basic human and trade union rights remain alien to the SPDC regime, the country will remain isolated politically and commercially.”
ENDS
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk
or contact the Seafarers' Union of Burma.
Telephone: +66 1 812 2550
Email: seagull@ksc.th.com
International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org
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