In the past few weeks there have been foreign observers, journalists and diplomats criticizing Burmese trade unions calling for a total boycott of the garment industry. According to them, the request is irresponsible and would hurt the workers.
Surely the call for a total boycott could be controversial, and there are some legit concerns by the workers themselves. But the point of trade unions is that under the military regime the few gains made in the past years are going to be lost. The average daily wage has already decreased from 3.50 USD to 2.00 USD (as reported on yesterday’s news). A fifth of what workers get in neighbouring Thailand. Trade unions are being targeted by the Junta, and the working conditions are surely going to get worse if the Tatmadaw stays in power. Much like health care workers, trade unionist believe that there is no future under the military regime. Asking workers to accept these conditions is immoral in my opinion, and is not going to help Myanmar people in the long run. Even if the economy improves in the future, only very few people would benefit (mostly generals, cronies and foreign businesses). Workers need to be listened and supported, not pushed to slavery in the name of mere survival. And under the Tatmadaw, workers’ rights will never improve.
Yes, boycotting the garment industry may not hurt the Junta all that much, but Myanmar people are left with very few alternatives. Criticism from outsiders who don’t have to live under the regime, in this case is hypocritical. They claim to worry about the workers, but you don’t hear them speaking about daily wages decreasing, or about the Junta’s plan to remove squatter settlements in Hlaing Thar Yar (see the Yangon news section). If they were honestly worried about Myanmar people, they would be vocal about these issues, they would press foreign companies to improve workers’ conditions and wages. They would be vocal about sanctioning MOGE (the biggest source of revenue for the military regime), setting no-fly zones, arms embargoes, monitoring companies that violate current sanctions. If MOGE were sanctioned, workers would not be forced to resort to this. Burmese people have the right to determine their future and use the means at their disposal. If you really care about their future, join their battle and help them topple the regime.
American journo Danny Fenster is facing a second charge. The Tatmadaw has this habit of persecuting political prisoners with multiple charges. It shaped the penal code to make it easier to persecute its opponents for thought crimes. I wonder if the Tatmadaw is detaining Fenster to use him as a bargaining chip, similarly to what China did with the two Canadian citizens. Or maybe it’s just pure arrogance.
POLITICS, ECONOMY AND OTHER NEWS
• American journalist Danny Fenster, who has been arrested five months ago while boarding on a flight to the US, faces a new charge under section 17(1) related to its work with the news outlet Myanmar Now. Following the coup, Myanmar Now has been declared illegal, together with Mizzima, Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), Khit Thit Media and 7Day News. Danny Fenster is currently detained in Insein Prison and is already facing charges under section 505(a), a new provision added by the Junta in February that punishes whoever “spreads false news” and “causes fear”. The provision is considered very vague and has been widely used by the regime to oppress the opposition. It carries up to 3 years prison term.
• A new record for the most expensive ukulele in the world. Myanmar singer and artist Kyar Pauk customized an ukulele that was auctioned today via Facebook for the equivalent of 27,500 USD that will be donated to the Spring Revolution. Kyar Pauk is currently hiding
YANGON
• Hlaing Thar Yar: according to DVB, the military regime issued an order to remove squatter settlements in Hlaing Thar Yar, one of the poorest areas of Yangon. Residents of these settlements are mostly migrants from rural regions and factory workers of the industrial area, especially garment workers.
SAGAING
• Kawlin: Resistance fighters of the Kawlin PDF attacked more than 100 regime troops
• Kyaukkar Myauk village, Monywa: a local administrator and his twin brother have been killed by unidentified gunmen. He allegedly already sent resignation letters before being shot.
KAREN (KAYIN) STATE
• The Karen National Union (KNU) says that the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) killed 126 regime soldiers in the first two weeks of October.
KACHIN STATE
• Waingmaw: 3 wives of regime soldiers of the 58th Infantry Batalion have been killed, and 2 injured in a landmine explosion. The landmine was planted by regime soldiers themselves.
CHIN STATE
• Hakha: gunfire and explosions reported tonight
SHAN STATE
• Mone Koe: clashes between MNDAA and regime soldiers continue
ARAKAN (RAKHINE) STATE
• Arakan political parties are still undecided on whether to attend a meeting with the Union Election Commission (UEC, now controlled by the regime) to discuss a new electoral system. The regime wants to adopt a proportional system of the alleged next elections.
MAGWAY
• Heavy rains caused floods in the region
• Taungdwingyi: local administrators are collecting a tax of 3,000 mmk (1.40 USD) from overnight visitors
TANINTHARYI
• Thayet Chaung: 5,000 civilians displaced by conflict between Resistance fighters and regime forces
MON STATE
• 14 member of the Parliament (3 from the NLD party, 11 from the Mon Unity Party), signed a statement promising to not associate with the National Unity Government (the democratic government that opposes the regime), nor involve in future politics on Myanmar. 2 of these (MUP) members are currently collaborating with the military regime. (Source: Chindwin News Agency) • Paung: local resistance fighters bombed Mottama power office
AYEYARWADY
• Maubin: after this weekend attacks on 3 police bases, regime force are training Pyu Saw Htee members. Pyu Saw Htee are civilian armed groups supporting the regime
BANGLADESH
• Following the assassination of Rohingya leader Mohib Ullah, Bangladesh police launched an operation in Cox’s Bazar, arresting nearly 40 Rohingya refugees suspected of being involved in criminal activities, including illegal possession of weapons and drugs. One of the 5 suspects arrested on suspicion of killing Mohib Ullah, has confessed his involvement.
COVID DAILY (real numbers are believed to be much higher than officially reported)
1,002 new cases and 30 new deaths
AAPP Burma update (as of Oct 16th, does not include victims of armed conflicts)
1178 civilians killed since February 1st
7355 still under detention
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