Statement 1/2000

1. On July 4, 2000, the Youth Workers Organization changed its name to Burma Labour Solidarity Organization.
2. Due to the unstable political situation, oppression of the people by the military, decade-long closure of the universities and colleges and the deterioration of the economy, unemployment in Burma has dramatically increased under the Military Government's rule.
3. Although they have no guarantee of individual safety, the number of workers who move to border countries such as Thailand, India, or China for their day-to-day survival is increasing year by year. In Mae Sot, Thailand alone, there are 60,000 migrant workers.
4. There is a need for a labour organization among the workers to protect their rights. For this reason, workers, youths and students organized the Youth Worker Organization on July 1, 1999 for the following objectives.
   
   1. To assist in solving the daily problems of migrant workers working illegally in Mae Sot, especially concerning legal, health, social and religious matters, by encouraging voluntary cooperation among the workers themselves,
   2. To strengthen social relationship among the migrant workers,
   3. To educate workers on basic human rights and labor rights, and improve basic education and democracy awareness among the workers,
   4. To promote participation in the democracy movement by encouraging unity and the empowerment of workers.
5. During the past year (1999/2000), Youth Workers Organization organized several health education sessions, including malaria prevention, personal hygiene and AIDS/HIV awareness. Other activities included, opening a school for migrant worker's children, finding jobs for workers, demanding compensation for some workers, giving temporary shelter to dismissed workers, unhealthy workers and pregnant women and conducting religious and social ceremonies.
6. Since the military coup in 1962, the workers inside Burma have been deprived of all workers rights including, adequate means to a livelihood, job security and the right to form independent unions. In addition, they suffer from a lack of personal security and rocketing basic commodity prices.
7. Due to the lack of freedom of press and worker representation, workers have been exploited and oppressed by the Burmese military government.
8. It is necessary to have a workers organization to promote and advocate workers' rights and interests including, protection from exploitation, improvement of general working conditions and raising public awareness of the plight of Burmese workers.
9. Therefore, on 4 July 2000, the organization was expanded, forming the Burma Labour Solidarity Organization (BLSO) in order to represent the interests of internal, as well as migrant, Burmese workers.

BLSO has six leading committee members:

1. KoThan Doke
2. Ko Nyan Win
3. Ko Thet Hmu
4. Ko Thet Tun
5. Ko Myint Aung
6. Ko Aung Win Tin
   

BLSO has four co-ordinators:

1. Ko Moe Myint Swe
2. Ko Sai
3. Mg Pai
4. Ko Thet Tun
5. Ko Myint Aung
6. Ko Maung Maung Than