Myanmar unions call for nationwide strike starting Monday: Statement

YANGON: An alliance of influential worker unions in Myanmar has called for an extended nationwide strike starting on Monday (Mar 8), with the intention of causing the "full, extended shutdown" of the country's economy in an attempt to stop a military coup.

In a statement, nine labour organisations called on "all Myanmar people" to stop work in an effort to reverse the seizure of power by the military, which overthrew the civilian government on Feb 1.

Andrew Tillett-Saks, Myanmar Country Program Director and Regional Senior Organizing Specialist for the Solidarity Center, a US-based worker rights organisation, told Reuters many unions would begin a general strike immediately.

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"But even more importantly it opens the door and increases the likelihood that many more from the private sector will answer the call in the days and weeks that follow ... This is a strategy that could actually plausibly really pressure the military," he said.

A spokesman for the military junta did not answer phone calls seeking comment.