GENEVA (7 December 2022) – International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo expresses his deep concern that Thet Hnin Aung, General Secretary of the Myanmar Industries Craft and Services Trade Union Federation (MICS-TUFs) has been sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour and a fine despite repeated calls for his release by the ILO Governing Body.
Detained in June 2021, Thet Hnin Aung is among many trade unionists and thousands of others imprisoned following the military takeover in Myanmar on 1 February 2021.
In June 2021, the International Labour Conference called on Myanmar to restore democratic order and civilian rule in Myanmar; cease all attacks, threats and intimidation by the military against workers, employers and their respective organizations, and the general population; and immediately release from detention and withdraw any charges against all those who have peacefully protested.
Director-General Houngbo highlighted Myanmar’s obligations stemming from its membership of the ILO and its ratification of the ILO Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize, 1948 (No. 87).
“I urge the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Thet Hnin Aung. The rights of both workers’ and employers’ organizations can only be exercised in a climate that is free from violence, pressure or threats of any kind against the leaders and members of these organizations. The unrelenting suppression of any dissent, as well as violence inflicted on Myanmar people and disregard for human rights must end,” Director-General Houngbo said.