MANILA, Philippines — Regional labor confederation International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)-Asia Pacific has urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to reject groups it accuses of falsely claiming to represent Myanmar’s independent trade unions as Manila hosts a regional forum on migrant labor on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15.
The Philippines is set to host the 19th Asean Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML), which will discuss the protection of migrant workers and ethical labor migration pathways.
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In a statement, ITUC-Asia Pacific accused Myanmar’s military junta of using the registered names, flags and logos of independent trade unions to gain recognition within the AFML and other Asean labor mechanisms.
Among the organizations whose identity it said was being misappropriated was the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM), an affiliate of ITUC-Asia Pacific.
“The Myanmar military regime cannot manufacture legitimacy by stealing the identities of independent trade unions. Workers have the right to choose their own representatives, free from military interference and political manipulation,” ITUC-Asia Pacific Secretary General Shoya Yoshida said.
The labor confederation warned that recognizing military-affiliated organizations as representatives of Myanmar’s workers would undermine the credibility of Asean’s labor mechanisms.
“Asean must not allow its labour mechanisms to become platforms for organisations that have no legitimate mandate to speak for Myanmar’s workers,” Yoshida said.
Myanmar has been under military rule since a February 2021 coup ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The military takeover was followed by restrictions on independent trade unions and workers’ rights, limiting their ability to organize and operate freely.
Against this backdrop, ITUC-Asia Pacific said the alleged attempts to misrepresent independent unions reflect the military regime’s continued repression of trade unions and fundamental labor rights.
ITUC-Asia Pacific said recognizing military-affiliated groups using CTUM’s identity would also raise concerns in light of the findings of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Commission of Inquiry, measures adopted under Article 33 of the ILO Constitution, and Asean’s Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar.
The confederation said legitimate trade union representation must be based on organizational independence, democratic legitimacy and respect for fundamental labor rights.
It called on Asean and its member states to protect the integrity of their labor mechanisms by ensuring that participating workers’ organizations operate independently and have a democratic mandate.
“Asean must uphold the rights of Myanmar’s workers to freedom of association and genuine, independent trade union representation, rather than legitimise those seeking to hijack workers’ voice,” Yoshida said.
The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR) has also called for stronger regional action to protect civilians and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid in Myanmar.
READ: CHR urges stronger Asean action on Myanmar crisis
In an Oct. 8 statement, the commission expressed concern over continuing violations of workers’ rights and fundamental freedoms in Myanmar, including restrictions on freedom of association and forced labor.
“The CHR stands with the people of Myanmar in their aspiration for a future founded on human rights, peace, accountability, and democratic governance,” it said. /jpv