Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO)

Aung San Suu Kyi Calls for Solidarity and Support in Telephone Conversation with RENGO

RENGO (Japanese Trade Union Confederation) held a telephone conversation with Aung San Suu Kyi, the democratization leader in Burma, in the afternoon of February 21. In the telephone conversation, General Secretary Hiroyuki Nagumo took up the issue of the transfer to civilian control in Burma and the detention of more than 2,100 democratization activists in that country. General Secretary Nagumo also pointed out that more than 80% of the members of parliament in Burma belonged to the military. He then raised the issue of violations of ILO (International Labour Organization) Conventions by Burma, especially Convention No. 29 (Forced Labor) and Convention No. 87 (Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining).

In response, Aung San Suu Kyi reiterated that without the participation of all people in the process of democratization in Burma, including democratization forces and ethnic minorities, a nation with the people’s full solidarity will not be built. Concerning the violations of ILO Conventions by Burma, she said that information on the real situation in Burma will be provided to international organizations, including ILO and trade union organizations. She also expressed appreciation for the assistance that RENGO has provided so far and her hope that support for the trade union movement in Burma will continue so that it can reach the level of trade union activity in Japan and the rest of the world.