The Myanmar Labor Alliance (MLA) was formed in 2019. Comprising labor associations, labor unions, and organizations dedicated to labor rights advocacy, the alliance's members include the Confederation of Trade Unions, Myanmar (CTUM); Myanmar Railway Workers' Union Federation (MRWUF); Mining Workers' Federation of Myanmar (MWFM); Food Workers' Federation of Myanmar (FWFM); Energy Unions Federation of Myanmar (EUFM); Building and Wood Workers Federation of Myanmar (BWFM); Agriculture and Farmers Federation of Myanmar (AFFM); and Industrial Workers' Federation Of Myanmar (IWFM).
Even prior to the coup d'état, the MLA stood united in advocating for workers' rights. Following the military's seizure of power on February 1, 2021, the MLA called for an end to all forms of tyranny, including the military dictatorship, and the establishment of a federal democratic union. The MLA joined forces with the people of Myanmar in their Spring Revolution, aiming for the creation of a federal union marked by the full enjoyment of human rights.
The MLA collaborates with the General Strike Coordinating Body to dismantle the military dictatorship and repeal the 2008 constitution, employing various strike and protest tactics. It also partners with international labor unions and organizations, participating in the NUCC as a representative of trade unions. The goal is to foster a shared political direction, objectives, and a political roadmap, as well as to impose comprehensive sanctions against the fascist military dictators. The MLA collaborates with international organizations to end violations of labor laws in workplaces and to halt the impunity of employees and their associates who oppress workers. The International Labor Organization (ILO) exerts pressure on the terrorist military group as a result of the MLA's reporting of labor rights violations in Myanmar. The MLA expands its outreach to more international labor organizations and governments to intensify pressure on the military junta. Moreover, the MLA is part of a consortium of 200 organizations implementing Comprehensive Economic Sanctions (CES) to entirely cut off funding to the terrorizing military.
On May 1, 2023, the MLA pledges to uphold the spirit of May Day, vowing to combat all forms of tyranny alongside the people of Myanmar. The MLA remains dedicated to realizing its demands: (a) the ratification of Article 98 of the ILO Convention, yet to be signed, in addition to provisions related to workplace regulations and rights; (b) the official establishment of a minimum wage in compliance with the law; and (c) the assurance of transitional justice for workers who suffered during the revolution, including private sector CDMers and civil servant CDMers. Members of the Myanmar Labor Alliance spearheaded public denunciations of Russia and China's interference in Myanmar's affairs. The MLA also initiated an online campaign advocating for the acceptance of NUG representatives at the ILO and rejecting the junta's allies. The alliance raised awareness about worker challenges, conducted an anti-military campaign through May Day banners, protested against the "sham election" orchestrated by the violent military council, publicly criticized labor unions, individuals, and organizations cooperating directly or indirectly with the junta, and participated in the Credential Challenge Campaign. These are a few examples of the MLA's active involvement in revolutionary activities.
MLA သည် အမျိုးသားညီညွတ်ရေး အတိုင်ပင်ခံကောင်စီ (National Unity Consultative Council) တွင် အဖွဲ့ဝင်အဖွဲ့အစည်းအဖြစ် ပါဝင်သည်။
References
