Category: News
Online meeting #3: Coordinating GLOBAL MAY DAY 2026
Since 2017 efforts to connect May Day activities worldwide have been taking place through the Global May Day network. Also this year some unions expressed interest in preparing a framework for a common Global May Day 2026.
During the first two meetings participants collected relevant focal points for a common call to action. This process will be continued at the meeting on March 1st (Sunday)!
It doesn’t matter, if you missed the first meetings. Everyone sympathizing with the Global May Day self-conception is invited to participate!
Details on how to join the meeting are listed below.
Strike at Sen Yu Clothings (Myanmar) factory (used by ENCUENTRO Moda)
The Federation of General Workers Myanmar (FGWM) reports on a labour strike currently going on at the factory of Sen Yu Clothings Myanmar Co., Ltd. It is located inside the Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone, Hlaingtharyar Township, in Yangon, with around 500 workers, who have been on strike since January 7th, 2026.
It is the third strike action at this factory within the last 12 months due to abusive management, wage theft, and forced overtime. The factory produces for Encuentro Moda, a clothing brand based in Barcelona with shops mostly located across Spain.
Parties involved:
☆ Sen Yu Clothing Myanmar Co. Ltd.
No. 44, Bamar Atwin Wun Road, Shwe Lin Pan Industrial Zone, Hlaing Tharyar, Myanmar
☆ ENCUENTRO Modas SL
Calle Dén Draper, 32 Pol. Ind. Valldegata Arenys De Mar, 08350
☆ Federation of General Workers Myanmar (FGWM)
and the workforce of 500 workers at the factory
UPDATE (Jan. 31st, 2026) – as reported by the workers on the ground
On January 30, the workers who were making demands did not return home and held an overnight sit-in strike inside the factory. On the morning of January 31, around 200 workers who were going to enter the factory were not allowed to enter, and all factory entrances were locked. The factory management also barred supervisors and line leaders from entering. In the evening, labor officials from Nay Pyi Taw arrived and conducted negotiations with the factory management.
The outcomes of the negotiations were as follows:
(1) Regarding the demand to raise the daily wage to 12,000 kyats, the factory agreed to pay 11,100 kyats. (approx. 4.50 EUR)
(2) Regarding the demand to increase the overtime rate to 2,500 kyats per hour, the factory agreed to pay 2,200 kyats per hour. (approx. 0.90 EUR)
(3) Regarding the two supervisors (a Finishing QC supervisor and a line leader), it was agreed that they would sign written warning letters, and if they commit further abuse against workers, they will be dismissed from their positions.
(4) Regarding the demand for full payment of wages for the days during which workers made their demands, the management refused, stating that it is not required by law.
Out of the four demands, an agreement was reached on three points, and a written agreement was signed.
It is reported that on January 31, the factory owner filed lawsuits against nine strike leaders, accusing them in connection with the blockade of the factory entrances.
___
It is also worth noting that comrades on the ground informed about another brand placing orders at Sen Yu factorty: RESERVED.
In case the reports of the lawsuits filed by the factory owner are confirmed, we will approach the brands again!
FGWM invites you to join these workers in the struggle for living wages, an end to forced overtime, and termination of abusive management.
These are their demands:
- Increase daily wage from 10,500 MMK to 12,000 MMK (approx. 4.85 EUR) – a modest increase to address the cost of living
- Increase overtime pay from 1,950 MMK to 2,500 MMK per hour (approx. 1 EUR) – fair compensation for extra work
- Terminate the Production Line Manager (All-Line Super) – who has systematically abused workers, issued false warnings, forced mandatory overtime, and bypassed HR to have workers physically removed from the factory
- Terminate the Finishing QC Manager – who has engaged in the same retaliatory and abusive practices
These demands address both immediate economic needs and the removal of managers who have created a hostile, abusive work environment characterized by arbitrary firings, forced labor, and personal vendettas against workers.
We call on the Sen Yu Factory Management to …
- ensure the Workplace Coordination Committee represents workers, not management interests!
- immediately cease all violence, threats, and intimidation against workers!
- engage in good faith negotiations with worker representatives!
- meet the workers’ four demands without retaliation!
- stop interviewing replacement workers and commit to resolving this dispute with current employees!
- allow independent union formation without interference!
At Sen Yu factory garments are produced mainly for ENCUENTRO Moda, a brand based in Barcelona. Due to the ongoing strike the bosses threatened the workers with legal action, which usually means calling the military.
We call on ENCUENTRO, as the involved brand directly benefitting from the working conditions, to …
- intervene immediately to pressure factory management to meet workers’ demands!
- conduct independent investigations into the documented pattern of abuse!
- ensure no workers face retaliation for participating in this protest!
- implement robust monitoring and remediation measures!
- consider suspending orders until fundamental rights are guaranteed!
The current strike is not an isolated incident. Workers at Sen Yu have been forced to organize collective actions multiple times over the past two years due to persistent and egregious violations of their rights:
- January 2026: Current work stoppage over wage demands, abusive management, and violent retaliation
- October 2025: Strike by over 1,000 workers protesting wage theft and forced unpaid overtime
- April 2025: Work stoppage demanding living wages and an end to forced overtime
- February 2025: Reports of phone confiscation, verbal abuse, threats, and denial of medical leave
- December 2024: Documentation of child labor exploitation and forced overtime without pay
- November 2024: Workers forced to sign overtime agreements under threats of termination
In this situation, the workers are calling on ENCUENTRO to intervene and resolve the situation as soon as possible.
Unions with links to ENCUENTRO are asked to support the strike and approach the brand on this matter.
The situation has escalated dangerously. Workers report that on January 9, 2026:
- When workers blocked container trucks to demand negotiations, the female factory owner physically kicked workers
- Local police were called in to physically assault the workers
- Factory management began interviewing replacement workers instead of negotiating in good faith
- Management threatened that supervisors would sue workers for demanding their removal
It is about time that the pressure increases on the management and things get better for all involved factory workers for good.
The workers gather at the factory. Entrance of the factory. 
Sign #1: Stop oppressing workers. Our rights must be respected. Sign #2: Workers are not machines. We demand dignity and justice. Sign #3: Stop repressing workers. End violence and intimidation. Sign #4: Stop mistreating workers. Give us back our fundamental rights. 
We, the workers, demand that ENCUENTRO intervenes and that the violent measures and harsh repression cease. 
Label of the brand. 
Sign #1: we demand justice and the protection of workers’ rights. Sign #2: Respect workers’ rights. 
Stop violations of workers’ rights immediately. Ensure justice for workers. MRTU Union 
Sign #1: Increase wages!! Pay the full wages owed!! Sign #2: Guarantee the rights of employees and workers.
La Federació de Treballadors Generals de Myanmar (FGWM) informa d’una vaga laboral que està tenint lloc a la fàbrica de Sen Yu Clothings Myanmar Co., Ltd. Està situada dins de la Zona Industrial de Shwe Lin Ban, al municipi de Hlaingtharyar, a Yangon, amb uns 500 treballadors, que estan en vaga des del 7 de gener de 2026.
És la tercera vaga en aquesta fàbrica en els darrers dotze mesos a causa de la gestió abusiva, el robatori de salaris i les hores extres forçades. La fàbrica produeix per a Encuentro Moda, una marca de roba amb seu a Barcelona i botigues principalment repartides per Espanya.
Partes implicades:
☆ Sen Yu Clothing Myanmar Co. Ltd.
Núm. 44, Bamar Atwin Wun Road, Shwe Lin Pan Industrial Zone, Hlaing Tharyar, Myanmar
☆ ENCUENTRO Modas SL
Calle Dén Draper, 32 Pol. Ind. Valldegata Arenys De Mar, 08350
☆ Federació de Treballadors Generals de Myanmar (FGWM)
i la plantilla de 500 treballadors de la fàbrica
FGWM us convida a unir-vos a aquests treballadors en la lluita per salaris dignes, la fi de les hores extres forçoses i l’acabament de la gestió abusiva.
Aquestes són les seves demandes:
- Augmentar el salari diari de 10.500 MMK a 12.000 MMK (aprox. 4,85 EUR) – un augment modest per fer front al cost de la vida
- Augmentar el pagament de les hores extres de 1.950 MMK a 2.500 MMK per hora (aprox. 1 EUR) – una compensació justa per la feina addicional
- Acomiadar el cap de la línia de producció (All-Line Super) – que ha maltractat sistemàticament els treballadors, ha emès avisos falsos, ha imposat hores extres obligatòries i ha eludit Recursos Humans per fer que els treballadors fossin expulsats físicament de la fàbrica
- Acomiadar el cap de Control de Qualitat de l’acabat – que ha dut a terme les mateixes pràctiques de represàlies i abús
Aquestes demandes aborden tant les necessitats econòmiques immediates com la destitució dels directius que han creat un entorn de treball hostil i abusiu, caracteritzat per acomiadaments arbitraris, treball forçat i venjances personals contra els treballadors.
Fem una crida a la direcció de la fàbrica Sen Yu perquè …
- assegureu que el Comitè de Coordinació Laboral representi els treballadors, no els interessos de la direcció!
- atureu immediatament tota violència, amenaces i intimidació contra els treballadors!
- inicieu negociacions de bona fe amb els representants dels treballadors!
- compliu les quatre demandes dels treballadors sense represàlies!
- deixeu d’entrevistar treballadors substituts i comprometeu-vos a resoldre aquest conflicte amb els empleats actuals!
- permeteu la formació de sindicats independents sense ingerències!
A la fàbrica Sen Yu es produeixen principalment peces de vestir per a ENCUENTRO Moda, una marca amb seu a Barcelona. A causa de la vaga en curs, els caps van amenaçar els treballadors amb accions legals, cosa que normalment significa cridar l’exèrcit.
Fem una crida a ENCUENTRO, com a marca implicada que es beneficia directament de les condicions laborals, perquè …
- intervengueu immediatament per pressionar la direcció de la fàbrica perquè satisfaci les demandes dels treballadors!
- porteu a terme investigacions independents sobre el patró d’abusos documentat!
- assegureu que cap treballador pateixi represàlies per participar en aquesta protesta!
- apliqueu mesures sòlides de seguiment i correcció!
- considereu la suspensió de les comandes fins que es garanteixin els drets fonamentals!
La vaga actual no és un incident aïllat. Els treballadors de Sen Yu s’han vist obligats a organitzar accions col·lectives diverses vegades durant els darrers dos anys a causa de violacions persistents i flagrants dels seus drets:
- Gener de 2026: Aturada de treball actual per demandes salarials, gestió abusiva i represàlies violentes
- Octubre de 2025: Vaga de més de 1.000 treballadors en protesta per robatori de salaris i hores extres no remunerades forçades
- Abril de 2025: Aturada de treball exigint salaris dignes i la fi de les hores extres forçades
- Febrer de 2025: Informes de confiscació de telèfons, abusos verbals, amenaces i denegació de permisos mèdics
- Desembre de 2024: Documentació de l’explotació laboral infantil i de les hores extres forçoses sense sou
- Novembre de 2024: Obrers obligats a signar acords d’hores extres sota l’amenaça de ser acomiadats
En aquesta situació, els treballadors demanen a ENCUENTRO que intervengui i resolgui la situació com més aviat millor. Es demana als sindicats vinculats a ENCUENTRO que donin suport a la vaga i s’adrecin a la marca per aquest assumpte.
La situació s’ha agreujat perillosament. Els treballadors informen que el 9 de gener de 2026:
- Quan els treballadors van bloquejar camions de contenidors per exigir negociacions, la propietària de la fàbrica els va donar puntades de peu
- Es va trucar a la policia local perquè agredís físicament els treballadors
- La direcció de la fàbrica va començar a entrevistar treballadors substituts en lloc de negociar de bona fe
- La direcció va amenaçar que els caps demandarien els treballadors per exigir la seva destitució
Ja és hora que augmenti la pressió sobre la direcció i que les coses millorin de manera definitiva per a tots els treballadors de la fàbrica implicats.
Treballadors es reuneixen a la fàbrica Llacet #1: S’ha d’aturar l’opressió dels treballadors. S’han de respectar els nostres drets. Llacet #2: Els treballadors no són màquines. Demanem dignitat i justícia. Llacet #3: Atureu la repressió contra els treballadors. Acabeu amb la violència i la intimidació. Llacet #4: Deixeu de maltractar els treballadors. Torneu-nos els nostres drets fonamentals. Nosaltres, els treballadors, exigim que ENCUENTRO intervengui i que s’aturin les mesures violentes i la dura repressió! etiqueta de marca entrada principal de la fàbrica
La Federación de Trabajadores Generales de Myanmar (FGWM) informa sobre una huelga laboral que se está llevando a cabo actualmente en la fábrica de Sen Yu Clothings Myanmar Co., Ltd. Esta se encuentra dentro de la zona industrial de Shwe Lin Ban, en el municipio de Hlaingtharyar, en Yangón, y cuenta con unos 500 trabajadores, que están en huelga desde el 7 de enero de 2026.
Es la tercera huelga en esta fábrica en los últimos 12 meses debido a la gestión abusiva, el robo de salarios y las horas extras obligatorias. La fábrica produce para Encuentro Moda, una marca de ropa con sede en Barcelona y tiendas repartidas principalmente por toda España.
Partes implicadas:
☆ Sen Yu Clothing Myanmar Co. Ltd.
N.º 44, Bamar Atwin Wun Road, Zona Industrial Shwe Lin Pan, Hlaing Tharyar, Myanmar.
☆ ENCUENTRO Modas SL
Calle Dén Draper, 32 Pol. Ind. Valldegata Arenys De Mar, 08350
☆ Federación de Trabajadores Generales de Myanmar (FGWM) y los 500 trabajadores de la fábrica
FGWM te invita a unirte a estos trabajadores en la lucha por salarios dignos, el fin de las horas extras obligatorias y el fin de la gestión abusiva.
Estas son sus demandas:
- Aumentar el salario diario de 10 500 MMK a 12 000 MMK (aproximadamente 4,85 EUR), un aumento modesto para hacer frente al coste de la vida.
- Aumentar la remuneración por horas extras de 1950 MMK a 2500 MMK por hora (aproximadamente 1 EUR), una compensación justa por el trabajo adicional.
- Despedir al director de la línea de producción (All-Line Super), que ha abusado sistemáticamente de los trabajadores, ha emitido advertencias falsas, ha obligado a realizar horas extras y ha eludido a RR. HH. para expulsar físicamente a los trabajadores de la fábrica.
- Despedir al director de control de calidad de acabados, que ha participado en las mismas prácticas abusivas y de represalia.
Estas demandas abordan tanto las necesidades económicas inmediatas como la destitución de los directivos que han creado un entorno laboral hostil y abusivo, caracterizado por despidos arbitrarios, trabajo forzoso y venganzas personales contra los trabajadores.
Instamos a la dirección de la fábrica Sen Yu a que…
- ¡Asegúrense de que el Comité de Coordinación del Lugar de Trabajo represente a los trabajadores, no a los intereses de la dirección!
- ¡Pongan fin de inmediato a toda violencia, amenaza e intimidación contra los trabajadores!
- ¡Entablen negociaciones de buena fe con los representantes de los trabajadores!
- ¡Satisfagan las cuatro demandas de los trabajadores sin represalias!
- ¡Dejen de entrevistar a trabajadores sustitutos y se comprometan a resolver este conflicto con los empleados actuales!
- ¡Permitan la formación de sindicatos independientes sin interferencias!
En la fábrica Sen Yu se producen prendas principalmente para ENCUENTRO Moda, una marca con sede en Barcelona. Debido a la huelga en curso, los jefes amenazaron a los trabajadores con emprender acciones legales, lo que normalmente significa llamar al ejército.
Instamos a ENCUENTRO, como marca implicada que se beneficia directamente de las condiciones laborales, a…
- ¡Intervenir inmediatamente para presionar a la dirección de la fábrica a que satisfaga las demandas de los trabajadores!
- ¡Llevar a cabo investigaciones independientes sobre los patrones de abuso documentados!
- ¡Garantizar que ningún trabajador sufra represalias por participar en esta protesta!
- ¡Implementar medidas sólidas de supervisión y reparación!
- ¡Considerar la suspensión de los pedidos hasta que se garanticen los derechos fundamentales!
La huelga actual no es un incidente aislado. Los trabajadores de Sen Yu se han visto obligados a organizar acciones colectivas en múltiples ocasiones durante los últimos dos años debido a violaciones persistentes y graves de sus derechos:
- Enero de 2026: Paro laboral actual por demandas salariales, gestión abusiva y represalias violentas.
- Octubre de 2025: Huelga de más de 1000 trabajadores en protesta por el robo de salarios y las horas extras forzadas no remuneradas.
- Abril de 2025: Paro laboral para exigir salarios dignos y el fin de las horas extras forzadas.
- Febrero de 2025: Denuncias de confiscación de teléfonos, abuso verbal, amenazas y denegación de bajas médicas.
- Diciembre de 2024: Documentación de explotación laboral infantil y horas extras forzadas sin remuneración.
- Noviembre de 2024: Trabajadores obligados a firmar acuerdos de horas extras bajo amenaza de despido.
En esta situación, los trabajadores solicitan a ENCUENTRO que intervenga y resuelva la situación lo antes posible. Se pide a los sindicatos vinculados a ENCUENTRO que apoyen la huelga y se pongan en contacto con la marca para tratar este asunto.
La situación se ha agravado peligrosamente. Los trabajadores informan que el 9 de enero de 2026:
- Cuando los trabajadores bloquearon los camiones contenedores para exigir negociaciones, la propietaria de la fábrica propinó patadas a los trabajadores.
- Se llamó a la policía local para que agrediera físicamente a los trabajadores.
- La dirección de la fábrica comenzó a entrevistar a trabajadores sustitutos en lugar de negociar de buena fe.
- La dirección amenazó con que los supervisores demandarían a los trabajadores por exigir su destitución.
Ya es hora de que aumente la presión sobre la dirección y que las cosas mejoren definitivamente para todos los trabajadores de la fábrica.
Los trabajadores se reúnen en la fábrica. Pancarta n.º 1: Detengan la opresión de los trabajadores. Se deben respetar nuestros derechos. Pancarta n.º 2: Los trabajadores no son máquinas. Exigimos dignidad y justicia. Pancarta n.º 3: Detengan la represión contra los trabajadores. Acabemos con la violencia y la intimidación. Cinta n.º 4: Dejen de maltratar a los trabajadores. Devuélvanos nuestros derechos fundamentales. Nosotros, los trabajadores, exigimos que ENCUENTRO intervenga y que cesen las medidas violentas y la dura represión. etiqueta de marca Entrada principal a la fábrica
Perhimpunan Merdeka: Abolish Parliament! Update on the Wave of Rebellion in Indonesia
In response to the most recent wave of militant protests across Indonesia, the anarchist organisation Perhimpunan Merdeka (in Engl: Freedom Association) released the statement below.
In case you want to know more on the current political developments in Indonesia, check out this well-made introduction by Warfronts:
Additionally, these voices from anarchists on the ground can help to get a better insight:
- Interview with an Indonesian anarchist about the history and current state of anarchism in Indonesia (2023) – done by the Forum voor Georganiseerd Anarchisme, a platform in the Netherlands
- Voices from the uprising in Indonesia – Affan Kurniawan lives on in the streets (by CrimethInc.)
☆ Bahasa Indonesia ☆ Deutsch ☆ Español ☆ Português ☆
Abolish Parliament!
Update on the Wave of Rebellion in Indonesia
This wave of rebellion, starting in late August 2025, was caused by the accumulation of anger over various political and economic issues. There was no single issue. Everything escalated with a massive increase in house taxes across the region, due to the government’s budget deficit. At the same time, members of parliament received a tenfold increase in wages. This was exacerbated by officials’ often arbitrary statements. For example, the Regent of Pati said that taxes would not be reduced, even if a mass demonstration of 50,000 people took place. Pati was the first city to explode with a turnout of around 100,000 people on August 10, 2025. Protests against the tax increase spread to Bone, then to other cities. During a demonstration in Jakarta, an online transportation worker was killed after being run over by a police vehicle. The following day, demonstrations spread to many cities, and they continue to this day as we publish the update. At least ten civilians were killed, several officials’ homes were looted, and half a dozen House of Representative offices were partially burned or burned to the ground. We were confident this rebellion would subside, but the public’s anger did not.
There are too many organizations, networks, and groups formulating demands. Even each city has its own unique demands. There are two revolutionary demands: the first from the Perserikatan Sosialis (PS), and the other, a loose, informal, and decentralized network that issued the Declaration of the Indonesian Federalist Revolution 2025, which calls for the dissolution of the unitary state and the DPR system and its replacement with a Democratic Confederalism of thousands of people’s councils for the implementation of direct democracy. Progressive liberals call for a more reformist call, the 17+8 demand. Insurrectionary anarchists, individualists, and post-leftists focus on attacks and street clashes, calling for the destruction of the state and civilization, but without bothering with a platform or program. There is no united front, but we avoid excessive ideological sectarianism.
While there’s no single issue, the discourse simultaneously centers on three: tax increases, police violence, and, most importantly, the dissolution of the House of Representatives. Perhimpunan Merdeka hasn’t yet taken a position, but it’s participating in every demonstration in its respective cities and using it to expand its network. We are calling for the global people’s movements solidarity to support our struggle in Indonesia through a variety of tactics and methods.
Long live the revolution!
This statement was originally published on perhimpunanmerdeka.org.
By the way, thousands of riders joined the funeral of their fellow worker Affan:
Schafft das Parlament ab!
Aktuelles zur Welle der Rebellion in Indonesien
Diese Welle der Rebellion, die Ende August 2025 begann, wurde durch die Anhäufung von Wut über verschiedene politische und wirtschaftliche Probleme ausgelöst. Es gab kein einzelnes Problem. Alles eskalierte mit einer massiven Erhöhung der Haussteuern in der gesamten Region aufgrund des Haushaltsdefizits der Regierung. Gleichzeitig erhielten die Mitglieder des Parlaments eine Verzehnfachung ihrer Gehälter. Verschärft wurde die Lage durch oft willkürliche Äußerungen von Beamten. So erklärte beispielsweise der Regent von Pati, dass die Steuern auch dann nicht gesenkt würden, wenn es zu einer Massendemonstration von 50.000 Menschen käme. Pati war die erste Stadt, in der es am 10. August 2025 mit rund 100.000 Teilnehmer:innen zu Ausschreitungen kam. Die Proteste gegen die Steuererhöhung breiteten sich auf Bone und dann auf andere Städte aus. Während einer Demonstration in Jakarta wurde ein Lieferdienstarbeiter getötet, nachdem er von einem Polizeifahrzeug überfahren worden war. Am folgenden Tag breiteten sich die Demonstrationen auf viele Städte aus und dauern bis zum Zeitpunkt der Veröffentlichung dieses Updates an. Mindestens zehn Zivilisten wurden getötet, mehrere Häuser von Beamten geplündert und ein halbes Dutzend Büros des Repräsentantenhauses teilweise oder vollständig niedergebrannt. Wir gingen davon aus, dass diese Rebellion abklingen würde, aber die Wut der Öffentlichkeit hielt an.
Es gibt zu viele Organisationen, Netzwerke und Gruppen, die Forderungen formulieren. Sogar jede Stadt hat ihre eigenen spezifischen Forderungen. Trotzdem gibt es zwei revolutionäre Forderungen: die erste stammt von der Perserikatan Sosialis (PS), die andere von einem losen, informellen und dezentralen Netzwerk, das die Erklärung der Indonesischen Föderalistischen Revolution 2025 veröffentlicht hat, in der die Auflösung des Einheitsstaates und des DPR-Systems und dessen Ersatz durch einen demokratischen Konföderalismus aus Tausenden von Gemeinderäten zur Umsetzung der direkten Demokratie gefordert wird. Progressive Liberale vertreten reformistischere Forderungen, die sogenannten 17+8-Forderungen. Aufständische Anarchist:innen, Individualist:innen und Post-Linke konzentrieren sich auf Angriffe und Straßenkämpfe und fordern die Zerstörung des Staates und der bestehenden Zivilisation, ohne sich jedoch um eine Plattform oder ein Programm zu kümmern. Es gibt keine Einheitsfront, aber wir vermeiden übertriebenen ideologischen Sektierertum.
Es gibt zwar nicht den einen gemeinsamen Schwerpunkt, aber es kann gesagt werden, dass der Diskurs sich auf drei Punkte zunehmend konzentiert: Steuererhöhungen, Polizeigewalt und, was am wichtigsten ist, die Auflösung des Repräsentantenhauses. Perhimpunan Merdeka hat noch keine Position bezogen, nimmt aber an allen Demonstrationen in den jeweiligen Städten teil und nutzt diese, um sein Netzwerk zu erweitern. Wir rufen globale Strukturen und Bewegungen zur Solidarität auf, um unseren Kampf in Indonesien mit verschiedenen Taktiken und Methoden zu unterstützen.
Es lebe die Revolution!
Dieses Statement wurde ursprünglich auf perhimpunanmerdeka.org veröffentlicht.
Übrigens, tausende Rider begleiteten die Beerdigung von Affan, ebenfalls ein Rider, welcher am 28. August von Cops getötet wurde.
Abolir o Parlamento!
Atualização sobre a onda de rebelião na Indonésia
Esta onda de rebelião, que começou no final de agosto de 2025, foi causada pelo acúmulo de raiva por várias questões políticas e econômicas. Não havia uma única questão. Tudo se intensificou com um aumento maciço nos impostos sobre imóveis em toda a região, devido ao déficit orçamentário do governo. Ao mesmo tempo, os membros do parlamento receberam um aumento de dez vezes nos salários. Isso foi exacerbado pelas declarações frequentemente arbitrárias dos autoridades.
Por exemplo, o regente de Pati disse que os impostos não seriam reduzidos, mesmo que ocorresse uma manifestação em massa de 50.000 pessoas. Pati foi a primeira cidade a explodir, com uma participação de cerca de 100.000 pessoas em 10 de agosto de 2025. Os protestos contra o aumento de impostos se espalharam para Bone e, em seguida, para outras cidades. Durante uma manifestação em Jacarta, um trabalhador do transporte online foi morto após ser atropelado por um veículo da polícia. No dia seguinte, as manifestações se espalharam por muitas cidades e continuam até hoje, enquanto publicamos a atualização. Pelo menos dez civis foram mortos, várias casas de autoridades foram saqueadas e meia dúzia de escritórios da Câmara dos Deputados foram parcialmente queimados ou totalmente destruídos pelo fogo. Estávamos confiantes de que essa rebelião iria diminuir, mas a raiva do público não diminuiu.
Existem muitas organizações, redes e grupos formulando demandas. Até mesmo cada cidade tem suas próprias demandas específicas. Há duas reivindicações revolucionárias: a primeira da Perserikatan Sosialis (PS) e a outra, uma rede informal e descentralizada que emitiu a Declaração da Revolução Federalista Indonésia 2025, que pede a dissolução do Estado unitário e do sistema DPR e sua substituição por um Confederalismo Democrático de milhares de conselhos populares para a implementação da democracia direta. Os liberais progressistas defendem uma proposta mais reformista, a reivindicação 17+8. Anarquistas insurrecionistas, individualistas e pós-esquerdistas concentram-se em ataques e confrontos nas ruas, apelando à destruição do Estado e da civilização, mas sem se preocuparem com uma plataforma ou programa. Não existe uma frente unida, mas evitamos o sectarismo ideológico excessivo.
Embora não haja uma única questão, o discurso se concentra simultaneamente em três: aumento de impostos, violência policial e, o mais importante, a dissolução da Câmara dos Deputados. A Perhimpunan Merdeka ainda não tomou uma posição, mas está participando de todas as manifestações em suas respectivas cidades e usando isso para expandir sua rede. Estamos pedindo a solidariedade dos movimentos populares globais para apoiar nossa luta na Indonésia por meio de uma variedade de táticas e métodos.
Viva a revolução!
Esta declaração foi originalmente publicada em perhimpunanmerdeka.org.
Credit for the translation into Portuguese goes to arquivolucyparsons.org
A propósito, milhares de motociclistas participaram do funeral do seu colega de trabalho Affan:
Tea workers in Bangladesh rally and get organized!
The Tea Workers’ Trade Union Center (TWTUC) commemorated its 1st National Conference at the Moulvibazar District Council Auditorium in Sreemangal on June 29th, 2025 with hundreds of workers coming together.
The conference was announced by comrades of TWTUC with the following words:
Revolutionary greetings from the tea workers of Bangladesh. For generations, tea workers have endured systemic discrimination and exploitation. In response, we have been organizing sustained movements and struggles to secure our fundamental rights and dignity. Today, we express our heartfelt solidarity with tea workers across the world. From continent to continent, working people face similar patterns of exploitation, marginalization, and repression. Our struggle, therefore, is not confined within national borders—it is part of the broader fight for international working-class unity and justice.
We believe that the liberation of the working class cannot happen in isolation. True freedom is only possible through the unity and solidarity of all oppressed, exploited, and struggling workers across the globe. As part of our ongoing movement, we are pleased to announce the 1st National Conference and Mass Rally of the Tea Workers’ Trade Union Centre.
TWTUC released the this 10-point charter of demands:
1) Wages
a) Set the minimum daily wage at 600 BDT*, preserving all current benefits (including rations, housing, and healthcare). Overtime must be compensated at double rate. For additional leaf picking, a payment of 12 BDT per kg must be ensured. Manipulation in weight measurements must stop—replace analog scales with digital ones visible to workers. An annual 10% wage increment must be guaranteed. The anti-worker Gazette published on 1 August 2023 must be repealed.
b) By labor law, provide all workers with Provident Fund, Gratuity, and 5% of company profits under Section 234 of the Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006. As per the 2016 agreement, retired workers must receive a pension equal to 1.5 months’ wages per year worked. In case of workplace death or disability, full lifetime earnings must be compensated.
c) Provide two annual festival bonuses equivalent to a full month’s wage, and one additional incentive bonus—these must not be attendance-based.
d) Enforce casual leave (10 days/year) and earned leave (1 day for every 18 working days) as per labor law.
* 600 BDT equal approx. 4.20 EUR / 4.93 USD. The current daily wage stands at 168 BDT and a new phase of labour struggles for higher wages could be expected later this year
2) Rations
Provide full family rations weekly, including rice, flour, lentils, oil, sugar/jiggery, soap, tea leaves, and kerosene. End all unjust ration deductions for agricultural land use. Sanitation infrastructure (toilets, etc.) must be provided per Section 59 of the Labor Act.
3) Land Rights
Grant legal ownership of residential and cultivated land to tea workers. Distribute unused land among unemployed tea worker youth.
4) Education
Officially recognize tea workers’ ethnic identity, language, and culture. Establish government primary schools in every tea garden. Provide primary education in workers’ native languages. Establish specialized secondary schools, colleges, technical institutes, and cultural academies in every valley.
5) Healthcare
Ensure qualified MBBS doctors, functional community clinics, and adequate medicine supplies in every garden. Provide safety equipment against pesticide-related health hazards.
Install deep tube wells and one tube well per 20 families for safe drinking water. Each garden must have at least one ambulance.
6) Women’s Rights
Grant 6 months paid maternity leave to female tea workers. Provide 2 days of paid menstrual leave per month. Supply free sanitary pads through community clinics. Ensure safe and hygienic delivery facilities, nutrition, medicine, and vaccines. Allocate raincoats to all female workers each monsoon. Build separate toilets for women in each section. Take effective measures to eliminate child marriage and violence against women in tea gardens.
7) Job Security & Employment
Regularize the employment of all temporary workers. Provide job opportunities for unemployed tea workers. Eliminate child labor in gardens. Establish quota reservations in employment for workers’ children. Employ educated female workers in staff positions.
8) Recognition of Historical Struggles
Declare May 20—the day of the historic “Cholo Mulluke” tea worker uprising—as National Tea Workers Day, with paid leave. Identify and honor tea worker freedom fighters and martyrs from the Liberation War. Preserve all related memorial sites.
9) Local Governance
Form union councils (Union Parishads) based on tea gardens. Utilize all opportunities to form sub-districts (upazilas) in tea-producing regions.
10) Legal & Organizational Rights
Repeal all anti-worker laws in the tea industry. Ensure the right to free association and trade union formation. Fully implement the Labor Act in tea gardens. Establish a Minimum Wage Board specific to the tea industry. Set up a permanent Labor Court in Sreemangal, and ensure resolution of all cases within 90 days.
The Daily Star reports on the conference:
A procession followed, drawing hundreds of tea workers and students from across Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Sreemangal. They carried banners, festoons, and chanted slogans, demanding recognition of their rights and fulfilment of their long-standing demands. […]
Organisers said the conference marks the beginning of a broader movement aimed at mobilising the collective strength of tea workers in their fight for dignity and justice.
Several unions and comrades in Bangladesh and internationally expressed their support and solidarity with the tea workers ahead of the TWTUC conference, such as GABRIELA, the broadest alliance of Filipino women, and the International Confederation of Labour (ICL-CIT). All greetings were published on the TWTUC facebook page.
Solidarity Wins – Conditions at Hang Kei factory improved!
☆ auf Deutsch ☆
A major victory was achieved at Hang Kei Myanmar Garment Factory Ltd following an internationally coordinated effort by grassroot labour unions.
Key data:
- Factory owned by Hang Kei Garment Co. Ltd with its head office in Hong Kong / a subsidiary company of Koon Ngai Garment Factory Ltd based in Hong Kong as well.
- The factory is located in the Yangon industrial area with more than 1000 workers.
- Products: lingerie
- Brands: Hunkemöller (Hunkemöller International B.V. based in Hilversum, Netherlands and Worcestershire, UK) | La Vie En Rose (owned by Boutique La Vie en Rose Inc. based in Montreal, Canada) | My Specials (belongs to Women’Secret based in Madrid, Spain)
For many months Hang Kei Myanmar Garment Factory has made negative headlines. At the beginning of April 2025 we received news of positive changes inside the factory.
Chronology of events:
March 8th (Day of Feminist Struggles): Internationally coordinated actions inside factories of Myanmar and outside shops of companies placing orders at those factories. Main theme “Menstrual products for all who need them!”.
Among others Hunkemöller was confronted with the demands put together by factory workers on the ground. The factory management of Hang Kei Myanmar Garment Factory Ltd was reached out to internationally as well.
March 17th: An audit team (from Hunkemöller), incl. doctors, visits the factory and also speaks to the workers.
April 7th: Factory management reacts and presents the changes applied following the six demands put forward by the workers. May Su Lwin works at Hang Kei factory in Yangon and reports about the recent changes:
May 8th: An audit team visits the factory again to check, if the changes are adopted correctly.
June 1st: May Su Lwin confirmed at an online meeting between FGWM and ICL Working Group Asia that the structural changes are still being maintained and the situation for the many workers has improved noticeably.
We do see the positive changes inside the factory and appreciate the efforts by Hunkemöller and the factory management. At the same time we emphasize that we keep monitoring the developments on the ground closely and are always ready to escalate the struggle again.
Menstrual products for all who need them!
Global solidarity is our weapon!
The following grassroot labour organisations were involved in this coordination:
☆ Federation of General Workers Myanmar (FGWM)
☆ International Confederation of Labour (ICL-CIT) Working Group Asia
☆ Syndicates and individual members of the Free Workers’ Union (FAU) in various cities
contact: asia@icl-cit.org
Ein bedeutender Erfolg wurde in der Fabrik der Hang Kei Myanmar Garment Factory Ltd. erzielt, nachdem sich auf internationaler Ebene Basisgewerkschaften zusammengetan hatten.
Eckdaten:
- Fabrik im Besitz von Hang Kei Garment Co. Ltd mit Hauptsitz in Hongkong / eine Tochtergesellschaft von Koon Ngai Garment Factory Ltd, ebenfalls mit Sitz in Hongkong.
- Die Fabrik befindet sich im Industriegebiet von Yangon und beschäftigt mehr als 1000 Arbeiter*innen.
- Produkte: Dessous/ Unterwäsche
- Marken: Hunkemöller (Hunkemöller International B.V. mit Sitz in Hilversum, Niederlande, und Worcestershire, Großbritannien) | La Vie En Rose (im Besitz von Boutique La Vie en Rose Inc. mit Sitz in Montreal, Kanada) | My Specials (gehört zu Women’Secret mit Sitz in Madrid, Spanien)
Seit vielen Monaten sorgt die Bekleidungsfabrik Hang Kei Myanmar für negative Schlagzeilen. Anfang April 2025 erhielten wir jedoch Nachrichten über positive Veränderungen innerhalb der Fabrik.
Was ist passiert?
08. März (Feministischer Kampftag): International koordinierte Aktionen in Fabriken in Myanmar und vor Filialen von Unternehmen, die Aufträge an diese Fabriken vergeben. Schwerpunkt: „Menstruationsprodukte für alle, die sie brauchen!“.
Unter anderem wurde Hunkemöller mit den Forderungen konfrontiert, die von den Fabrikarbeiter*innen vor Ort zusammengetragen wurden. Auch an das Fabrikmanagement der Hang Kei Myanmar Garment Factory Ltd wurde international herangetreten.
17. März: Eine Prüfungskommission (von Hunkemöller), darunter auch Ärzt*innen, besucht die Fabrik und spricht mit den Arbeiter*innen.
07. April: Das Management der Fabrik reagiert und stellt die Änderungen vor, die sie aufgrund der sechs Forderungen der Belegschaft umsetzt. May Su Lwin arbeitet in der Hang Kei-Fabrik in Yangon und berichtet darüber, was konkret verändert wurde:
08. Mai: Die Prüfungskommission besucht die Fabrik erneut, um festzustellen, ob die Änderungen weiterhin bestand haben und vom Management umgesetzt werden.
01. Juni: May Su Lwin bestätigt beim Online-Treffen zwischen FGWM und ICL Arbeitsgruppe Asien, dass die strukturellen Veränderungen weiterhin aufrecht erhalten werden und sich die Situation für die vielen Arbeiter*innen merklich verbessert hat.
Wir nehmen die positiven Veränderungen in der Fabrik wahr und schätzen die Bemühungen von Hunkemöller sowie der Fabrikleitung. Gleichzeitig betonen wir, dass wir die Entwicklungen vor Ort weiterhin genau beobachten und jederzeit bereit sind, den Kampf erneut zu eskalieren.
Menstruationsprodukte für alle, die sie brauchen!
Globale Solidarität ist unsere Waffe!
Die folgenden Basisgewerkschaften waren an dieser Koordinierung beteiligt:
☆ Federation of General Workers Myanmar (FGWM)
☆ International Confederation of Labour (ICL-CIT) Arbeitsgruppe Asien
☆ Syndikate und einzelne Mitglieder der Freien Arbeiter*innen-Union (FAU) in verschiedenen Städten
Kontakt: asia@icl-cit.org
Urgent Call: Support workers in Myanmar after earthquake! (crowdfunding)
For several years the working group Asia of the anarcho-syndicalist International Confederation of Labour (ICL-CIT) has been coordinating actions internationally to pressure brands and factory owners to improve working conditions. The last occasion was the Day of Feminist Struggles on March 8th 2025.
Most of you have probably heard of the massive earthquake that struck many parts of Myanmar killing thousands of people and destroying the homes for hundreds of thousands in the news at the end of March this year. Our friends of the FGWM are struggling to support each other and are calling for support from comrades worldwide. Therefore we initiated a crowdfunding and aim to collect 20 000 EUR:
- 10 000 EUR: Menstrual pads for 5 000 (factory) workers
- 10 000 EUR: Solidarity packages for 200 families severely affected by the earthquake
Workers on the ground organised with FGWM are involved in the coordination and decided that they need the following things inside the solidarity packages: 1 x power bank, 1 x mosquito net, as well as 1 x tarpaulin cover for roofing (15 yards). Each package is worth around 50 EUR.
The distribution of the menstrual pads as well as the solidarity packages will be organised by 12 comrades of FGWM.
Listen to Nilar, a comrade of FGWM nearby Mandalay, talking about the situation after the earthquake in March 2025:
Before the earthquake also this video was published to inform about the crowdfunding, back then focussing solely on the availability of menstrual pads.
So far close to 10 000 EUR have been collected (date: May 14th), therefore some support within the next two weeks is needed to still achieve the goal of 20 000 EUR.
There are two ways of contributing:
OPTION #2
by transfering contributions directly to the account of the Free Workers’ Union (FAU) Hamburg:
Account holder: AS FAU Hamburg
IBAN: DE43 4306 0967 2070 7898 00
BIC: GENODEM1GLS
Bank name: GLS Bank
Reference: FGWM solidarity
There are also leaflets available for download in English, German or Spanish as well as a poster design.
Turning solidarity into practice – Solidarity not charity!
This crowdfunding is being coordinated by the ICL Working Group Asia together with FGWM and the support of the comrades of FAU.
Questions or comments? Contact: asia@icl-cit.org
Radical May Day in Indonesia (2025)
Anarchists took to the streets in several cities across Indonesia, such as Surabaya, Malang, Solo and Makassar.
Especially in the major cities Jakarta and Semarang (Central Java) clashes broke out between workers and riot cops.
JAKARTA
In Jakarta an alliance of radical unions took to the streets. At least 14 workers were detained.
Civil groups from all walks of life commemorate May Day by staging a rally in front of the House of Representatives building in Senayan, Jakarta, on May 1, 2025. […]
The rally was joined by the Indonesian Women’s Alliance, Campus Workers Union, Independent Journalists Alliance, The Indonesian Media and Creative Industry Workers Union for Democracy (Sindikasi), and the Congress of the Indonesia Unions Alliance (Kasbi). They are part of the Labor Movement Together with the People (Gebrak). […]
The posters illustrate demands and protests from varied perspectives, from labor to women. One of the posters read: “May Day is not a holiday. This is the day to fight back.” […]
“The Gebrak Alliance stresses that the Indonesian Labor Movement cannot be claimed by anyone or any group whose ultimate goal is to get a piece of the ‘power’ pie,” they wrote in a statement on Thursday, May 1, 2025. […]
there are five demands brought by Gebrak in today’s rally, including:
- Revoke the Omnibus Law on Job Creation and enact a pro-labor Manpower Bill;
- Enact the Domestic Workers Protection Bill and recognize the status of informal sector workers such as online motorcycle taxi drivers and couriers;
- Stop evictions, implement genuine agrarian reform;
- Stop national strategic projects that damage the environment and enact the Indigenous People Bill;
- Revoke the Military Law and reject military involvement in civilian affairs.
source: en.tempo.co
SEMARANG
In Semarang (Central Java) students (mainly anarchists) and workers took to the streets and clashed with cops.
media reports: en.tempo.co, voi.id
BANDUNG
In Bandung anarchists smashed at least one police car.
Students of Liga Mahasiswa in Malaysia expressed their support for the workers effected by state repression during May Day in Indonesia.
Note: The activities during May Day 2025 in Indonesia were not linked to the call for Global May Day 2025.
(Anarchist) Uprising in Indonesia
Most recently anti-authoritarians came together for the Perhimpunan Merdeka pre-congress somewhere in Indonesia to work towards an anarchist federation. (instagram.com)
A comrade involved in this event reports on an uprising currently taking place in Indonesia, which until now received too little media coverage internationally.
To understand the background better, check out this translation of a leaflet distributed by anarchists as part of the movement in the city of Makassar on March 20th. It was originally published on perhimpunanmerdeka.wordpress.com.
The TNI (Indonesian Military) Bill is Not Just Another Law—It’s a Declaration of War Against the People’s Freedom!
This ARMED OLIGARCHY REGIME seeks to restore military dominance over all aspects of life, repeating the New Order era when the army was a tool of oppression!
Backed by numerous political parties, former activists, influencers, and opportunistic intellectuals, they are eager to embed the military into civilian institutions, ensuring total control over people’s lives. From the Attorney General’s Office, ministries, and civil agencies to the distribution of rice and fertilizers, even matters of farmland and free meal programs—everything is designed to secure oligarchic interests and keep the people submissive under military boots!
They talk about “Military Operations Other Than War,” but their real intention is clear: to free the military from parliamentary oversight, giving them unchecked legitimacy to act as they please! This means we can expect more enforced disappearances, land grabs from citizens and indigenous communities, destruction of forests and oceans, and open repression against those who dare to resist!
Even worse, the military is now meddling in food supplies, LPG distribution, and national projects! This is the true face of state capitalism—the military as the enforcer of capitalists, ensuring the people remain below a decent living standard and powerless!
The TNI Bill Must Be Resisted! We Do Not Need the Military in Civilian Affairs!
Build people’s power from below through local councils, factory councils, workplaces, campuses, villages, cooperatives, and economic networks to replace this corrupt social structure!
Organize grassroots resistance through autonomous action committees!
Drive back armed domination!
Kick the military out of civilian affairs!
Take back control over our lives!No Masters, No Slaves!
Solidarity, Freedom, and Justice for All!Perhimpunan Merdeka – Makassar
Apparently there are riots happening across the country. Many youths are on the Streets using anarchist symbols. Riot cops attack the movement and even hijack ambulances with injured activists who were supposed to be treated in hospital. Police stations and regional parliaments are attacked.
For more information on Perhimpunan Merdeka check out this interview.
More info on the developments will probably be provided later. Stay tuned!
Call for Solidarity: Menstrual products for all who need them! (8M 2025)
The poor conditions of santiary facilities as well as the lack of menstrual products pose severe problems for factory workers worldwide. The Federation of General Workers Myanmar (FGWM) together with the working group Asia of the International Confederation of Labour (ICL) initiated an international call to commemorate the Day of Feminist Struggles on March 8th and push for changes inside the factories.
On March 8th the factory workers will attempt to inform the management/owners about their demands. All comrades worldwide can help to increase the pressure by approaching retailers/ brands involved, for example by handing over the demands put forward by the factory unions on the ground to the store management.
Check out the call as well as the list of demands and brands involved below.
You can download leaflets in English and German for March 8th here.
Contact: asia@icl-cit.org
Call: International Day of Feminist Struggle –
Menstrual products for all who need them!
Imagine you’re in pain, you’re bleeding, but you cannot leave work. You do not only risk consequences – you physically cannot leave the premises without the permission of your boss.
That is the reality for thousands of female workers at garment factories in South and South East Asia. Especially in Myanmar, the situation got even worse within the past four years, since the military forcibly took power, (re)installing a dictatorship. Even when the female workers are on their period they have to work overtime, six days a week and without proper sanitary facilities. In addition, the prices for menstrual pads have been rising so high, that most workers cannot afford them anymore. The toilets aren’t clean, there’s trash all over the place, the lights aren’t working properly and the workers use left over fabric from the garment factories as pads, often resulting in infections and allergies.
Not just in Myanmar – affected people all over the world have to pay for their own menstrual products and need to perform like anyone else on their jobs while suffering from pain and bleeding. Some are worse off than others as pain is always individual, and the various factors that lead to pain affect each person differently and vary from day to day.
In some countries, like South Korea, Taiwan and Zambia, some form of a right to menstrual leave was introduced already. Also, in Spain a similar regulation was just passed in 2023. Looking at these examples, there is no excuse for other countries not to follow suit!
On the global level we struggle for:
- Free menstrual products at the workplace or the payment of a bonus equal to the cost of these products!
- Paid leave for workers during their menstruation period!
- Adjustment of workload for pregnant or menstruating workers and dropping of imposed production targets!
The comrades of FGWM push for the following demands inside the factories:
- Free menstrual products at the workplace or the payment of a bonus equal to the cost of these products!
- Paid leave during menstruation period and a guarantee that workers can leave the factory or have the possibility to rest at the factory clinic!
- Adjustment of workload for pregnant or menstruating workers and dropping of compulsory production targets!
- Clean toilets, drinking water, soap and additional garbage bins for menstrual products at all factories!
- Provide necessary healthcare for female workers at the workplace – also during their menstruation period!
- Provide contraceptives for free or pay a refund!
Our demands are directed at the factory owners as well as the brands/ corporations, which mainly profit from the exploitation inside the factories. They must ensure that the required working conditions are met at the factories they source from!
The factory unions on the ground affiliated to FGWM confirm that production is currently taking place for the following brands:
1/ Sinsay (owned by LPP S.A. based in Gdansk, Poland. The company owns five distinct fashion brands: Reserved, House, Cropp, Mohito and Sinsay.)
2/ SHISKY (owned by DRIVE Ltd based in Nagoya, Japan)
3/ BREIZH OCEAN (based in Saint-Vigor-le-Grand, France)
4/ ONLY & VERO MODA (both belong to the company BESTSELLER based in Brande, Denmark)
5/ SOULCAL & CO (owned by the retail, sport and intellectual property group Frasers Group plc based in Shirebrook, UK)
6/ H & M (owned by H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB based in Stockholm, Sweden)
7/ ENCUENTRO (Encuentro Fashion Group based in Barcelona, Tenerife and Shanghai)
8/ ZARA & Bershka (both owned by the multinational fashion design, manufacturing, and retailing group Inditex based in Arteixo, Spain)
9/ SIOEN (Sioen Industries based in Ardooie, Belgium)
10/ FB SISTER (belongs to the retailer New Yorker – New Yorker Group Services International GmbH & Co.KG – based in Braunschweig, Germany)
11/ La Vie En Rose (owned by Boutique La Vie en Rose Inc. based in Montreal, Canada)
12/ Hunkemöller (Hunkemöller International B.V. based in Hilversum, Netherlands and Worcestershire, UK)
13/ My Specials (belongs to Women’Secret based in Madrid, Spain)
14/ FieldCore (owned by Workman Co., Ltd. based in Shiba-cho, Japan)
15/ Etam (Etam Groupe based in Paris, France)
16/ LC Waikiki (ready-to-wear fashion company based in Istanbul, Turkey)
17/ Wilson Sporting Goods (owned by Amer Sports based in Helsinki, Finland)
18/ BH Bikes (Beistegui Hermanos S.A. based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain)
Supporters of this call:
Solidarity against Patriarchy – worldwide!
Wildcat strike at Zhi Yuan factory (Yangon, Myanmar)
“Workers are on strike at Zhi Yuan Garment Co. Ltd Factory”
FGWM, November 26, 2024
In Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon Region, at Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone, No. 99, Hospital (1) Road, workers at the Chinese-owned Zhi Yuan Garment Co. Ltd factory are staging a work stoppage today, November 26, 2024. Around 300 workers are working in this factory and 250 of them are demanding the dismissal of a Chinese interpreter who has physically assaulted workers, which they deem unacceptable. The demands also include stopping the unjust practices of supervisors and management who verbally abuse workers and force them to work under oppressive conditions. There are a total of 13 demands put forward by the workers.
In front of the factory, government officials, hired thugs, soldiers, and police officers from the nearby police station arrived. A worker informed the Federation of General Workers Myanmar (FGWM) that the factory management called in soldiers and police in response. One of the organised workers spearheading the demands is in hiding because armed soldiers, police, and thugs are searching for him. Workers have also stated that armed soldiers are threatening them to return to work inside the factory. A worker shared that, “A soldier pointed a gun at us and ordered everyone to return to their work, threatening us with the weapon.” Another worker said, “Thugs threatened us, saying if we don’t stay calm, they will hit each of us at least once.”
The workers are appealing to involved brands and the general public to be informed about the situation and urgently resolve these issues. The Federation of General Workers Myanmar (FGWM) was contacted for assistance.
One of the main retailers profiting from the exploitation of the factory workers is New Yorker, which is based in Braunschweig (Germany).
Due to the pressure of authorities, workers had to enter their workplace, but in the end just sat there and refused to work (2PM, 26 Nov 2024).
The 13 demands of the striking workers:
- Provide an monthly attendance bonus of 50,000 MMK (22.55 EUR).
- Pay overtime wages of 2,000 MMK (0.90 EUR) per hour.
- Implement a fair grade system and pay workers accordingly.
- Grant paid leave and public holidays in compliance with Myanmar labour laws.
- Provide piecework payments based on actual production targets set by the factory.
- Pay the attendance bonus wages twice monthly (once for the first two weeks on the 15th and once for the second two weeks at the end of the month).
- Dismiss HR Manager Ma Nu Nu Wai from her position.
- Set up a suggestion box for workers to voice their concerns.
- Establish an on-site medical room with qualified healthcare professionals and allow workers time off for medical needs.
- Dismiss the interpreter who engaged in physical assaults against workers.
- Grant workers 15 minutes of break time for food and drinks before overtime shifts start.
- Ensure supervisors and line leaders refrain from unfairly pressuring, shouting, or verbally abusing workers.
- Improve the quality of the drinking water supply in the factory. Workers report that the current water is unsanitary, leading to illnesses such as diarrhea and food poisoning.
Among others the factory workers produce clothes for FB (fishbone) Sister owned by New Yorker:
