"Myanmar unions call for economic sanctions", 26 July 2021

The Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM) says economic sanctions are needed, and for the international community to isolate the military regime. The CTUM is part of the 16-member Labour Alliance, representing the entire labour movement in the country.

...Global unions challenged the legitimacy of the military regime at the International Labour Conference, and in June the ILO adopted a resolution calling for a return to democracy.

...The trade union movement in Myanmar believes that a combination of internal resistance and external solidarity and pressure is necessary to remove the regime. It says the international community must isolate the regime, end diplomatic and business relationships, and recognise the National Unity Government as the legitimate representative of the people of Myanmar.

...Estimates suggest a significant deterioration in labour market conditions, with employment having contracted by an estimated 6% in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, reflecting 1.2m job losses.

...All sectors of the economy have been impacted, with construction, garments and tourism and hospitality among the hardest hit. In the first half of 2021, employment in these sectors decreased by an estimated 35%, 31% and 25% respectively, with even higher losses in relative working hours.

Last month, a group of 77 asset managers urged companies with business links to Myanmar to take action against ongoing human rights violations.