THE Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM) called for sanctions against the country’s military junta today as it bids to restore democracy in the country.

Union leader Khaing Zar reiterated the demand of the 16-member Labour Alliance which represents Myanmar’s trade union movement. It aims to isolate the regime which came to power in a coup on February 1.

“There are no trade union rights without political freedom,” she said. “Our unions cannot operate. Many of our leaders have been arrested or are in hiding after arrest warrants were issued. 

“Collective bargaining agreements have been cancelled, and employers are passing the names, pictures and personal information of trade union members to the military,” Ms Zar explained.

Myanmar has been under military rule since the armed forces seized power in February, ousting the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy.

Many of its leading figures have been detained with Ms Suu Kyi among those facing lengthy prison sentences.

More than 900 people have been killed since February, according to rights groups, with thousands detained in a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests and strike action.

Ms Zar said that global brands that do business in Myanmar have not done enough to support the people.

“Workers’ lives will not improve until we remove this regime. To do this, we need to cut off all their access to resources. If they have no money, they cannot buy arms to shoot people, and they will lose control,” she said.

CTUM first issued the call for a boycott of Myanmar in May, calling for support to “starve and drive out the regime.”

Global trade union confederation IndustriAll has united with CTUM, saying that the demands of the Myanmar trade unions need to be taken seriously and implemented internationally.

“The military dictatorship must be removed from UN bodies and the international community, as it was at the latest ILC, and the National Unity Government must be recognised. This must be implemented immediately,” IndustriAll general secretary Valter Sanches said.

“It is also crucial to cut off the dictatorship’s revenue stream through comprehensive sanctions. We will continue to promote solidarity action, along with our affiliates and the global unions, until the people of Myanmar restore democracy and respect for human rights in the country.”