"EU concerned about Myanmar garment workers arrests", 24 June 2023

The European Union Delegation to European Union in Myanmar has expressed alarm over the arrest of a number of garment workers in Yangon’s Shwe Pyi Thar Township from 14-16 June.

The following is the EU statement issued this week:

“We are concerned by the ongoing detention and welfare of a number of workers and labour rights’ organisers in the garment sector who have been detained, inter alia, as a consequence of a labour dispute at the Hosheng Myanmar garment factory last week.  We call for their immediate release, and for an end to arrests of all those who are peacefully exercising their right to freedom of association and expression.  We also share the wish of the workers at Hosheng Myanmar that their colleagues who were negotiating better working conditions on their behalf should be reinstated.

“We call on all concerned to operate in accordance with the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.  This includes respecting fundamental human rights, including freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour; the effective abolition of child labour; the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation, and a safe and healthy working environment.”