By Ma Ma - Feb 22, 2025

The Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) announced on February 21 that workers who are pressured into signing protest letters, drafting objections, or demonstrating against actions taken under Article 33 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Constitution can file complaints with the IWFM.

Currently, a group of individuals who were previously expelled from the IWFM is using the IWFM logo and working in alignment with the military council to oppose measures taken under Article 33. Reports indicate that these individuals are coercing workers into supporting their actions.

The military council’s Ministry of Labour has sent invitations to employers, instructing them to send workers to “Workplace Organization and Labour Law Awareness Discussions,” which were held in January and February 2025.

These discussions were led by individuals who had already resigned from CTUM and IWFM before and after the military coup, meaning they no longer hold any official position within the IWFM.

The official statement identified U Myo Myint, U Myo Zaw Thet, U Soe Min Hlaing, Daw Myint Hnin Thet (Myat Hnin Thet), and U Yae Thu Ya Aung as individuals unlawfully using the IWFM name and logo. It further stated that legal action would be taken against them in the National Unity Government (NUG) court, as well as in international courts.

It is reported that the military council is attempting to create the false impression that workers do not support the economic sanctions imposed under ILO Article 33.

In this situation, the military council has issued arrest warrants for legitimate IWFM officials, while unauthorized individuals continue to misuse the organization’s name. Therefore, IWFM urges workers who are being pressured or coerced to report their cases through the IWFM’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/IndustrialWorkersFederationOfMyanmar.IWFM/.