Burma Labour Solidarity Organization

P.O Box 119, Mae Sot, Tak 63110, Thailand Ph: 66 55 547 376 E-mail: tdoke88@cscoms.com

20th February 2010

BLSO - statement pertaining to labor strikes at the Industrial Zones in Rangoon, Burma

1. At present, labor strikes are taking place in Rangoon, Burma. These strikes commenced on 8
January 2010, beginning from the Opel garment factory, a Korean-Burmese joint venture
enterprise. The workers could no longer tolerate the constant exploitation by their employers and
the SPDC military government.

2. The Burma Labor Solidarity Organization (BLSO) wholeheartedly supports these labor strikes, and
commends these workers for their bravery and their solidarity. We (BLSO) will do as much as we
can to support the labor strikes in Rangoon, Burma.

3. In 1989, the SPDC military government began to establish Industrial Zones in Rangoon, Burma.
SPDC and employers in these Industrial Zones have exploited workers in these Industrial Zones for
many decades. SPDC has constantly ignored labor rights violations committed by these employers,
and have on many instances committed these violations themselves.

4. These exploited workers have the following basic demands:

a. Salary raise
b. To have working hours restricted to 8 hours per day, and 6 days in a week
c. To receive payment for overtime, and to reduce long overtime hours.
d. To create a healthy environment in the factory, by providing clean drinking water, fans, etc

These demands are basic, fundamental labor rights. As such, the SPDC military government and
employers should implement these demands immediately.

5. Currently, the average workers' income is exceedingly low, ranging from 25-30 000 kyats per
month (USD 25-30). By itself, this average salary is insufficient to cover energy replacement
requirements in order to maintain and sustain a healthy workforce. Hence, workers are fully justified
in carrying out these strikes.

6. To survive, the average worker has to depend on collecting overtime pay of 100-150 kyats per hour
(USD 0.10-0.15), as well as a monthly bonus of 3-5000 kyats per month (USD 3-5). Even though
overtime pay and the bonus is such a pittance, an additional system of exploitation exists among
the Industrial Zones in Rangoon, Burma. For instance, overtime pay is often 'paid' using packets of
coffee mix, instant noodles, or buns instead of cash. Workers who have legitimate sick or
compassionate leave forfeit their bonus for the month, forcing many to be trapped in a cycle of poor
pay, and long hours.

7. After the 1988 uprisings, there was a large labor strike in Burma, delivering a strong warning to
SPDC military government in demand of democracy and full labor rights. These 2010 labor strikes
will galvanize a labor rights movement which will eventually spread to all the factories in Burma.

8. We strongly demand the SPDC military government not to use force during these labor strikes, but
instead to pursue peaceful means of negotiation and dialogue to resolve these labor rights issues.

9. Finally, we ask SPDC military government, labor ministry, and employers to implement the
following demands.
a. Salary raise
b. Payment of overtime in cash
c. A fair bonus scheme
d. To have working hours restricted to 8 hours per day, and 6 days in a week
e. Reduce long overtime hours
f. To create a healthy environment in the factory, i.e. providing clean drinking water, fans, etc
g. Allow workers to form a trade union
 h. Do not arrest leaders of labor strikes
i. Do not dismiss workers involved in the strikes

10. Burma Labor Solidarity Organization (BLSO) strongly supports the labor strikes, and encourages the
workers to continue their strikes to obtain the full labor rights that they deserve. We ask for the NLD party,
exploited workers and the people of Burma to support this labor strike.

Burma Labour Solidarity Organization

< Contact Ph - 086-1198091 > <055-547376>