Left groups supports Burmese workers struggle

Left groups in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, South Africa, Australia & New Zealand have expressed their support for striking workers in Burma. Workers at the Taiyi shoe factory and Opal 2 garment factory began a strike on Monday, 8 February 2010. They are demanding an increase in salary of 10.000 Kyat (US$ 10), a reduction of working hours and the provision of a clean space for meal. The strike started in the Mya Fashion garment factory in No. 3 Factory Zone of Rangoon’s Hlaing Thrayar Township. Now they are being blocked by riot police trucks. At least 50 trucks packed with riot police carrying assault rifles and shields were dispatched. They are prevented from leaving the factory zone and no one has been allowed to enter. Police securing roads surrounding the Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone, about 11 km outside the biggest city, Yangon [also known as Rangoon]. Overall the working conditions in Burma are getting worse. The Burmese military regime is pro-foreign capital, and depends on cheap wages and deplorable working conditions to attract foreign investments. Like other democratic rights in Burma, the democratic rights of workers such as freedom to form trade unions is also being repressed. The rise of the working class is a good sign of the possibility of fundamental changes in Burma. The rise of the working class should be supported by all people’s movements in Burma and internationally. We the undersigned organizations and political parties support the struggle of Burma’s working class and demand: • The workers’ just demands must be fulfilled. • Reject any form of repression of workers. • Full democratic rights for the workers including the right to organize, build independent trade union and form political parties. We declare our fullest support to the people of Burma to build a democratic Burma. Because only with a democratic Burma can prosperity and justice be achieved. SIGNATORIES • Working Peoples Association (Indonesia) • Singapore Democratic Party • Socialist Party of Malaysia • Socialist Alternative (Australia) • Confederation Congress of Indonesia Union Alliance • Socialist Worker (New Zealand) • Socialist Alliance (Australia) • Young Democrats (Singapore) • Partido ng Manggangawa (Philippines) • Congress of South African Trade Unions • Partido Lakas ng Masa (Philippines) • World Federation of Trade Union (Asia Pacific Region) • Movement for the Advancement of Student Power (Philippine)