This International Day of Democracy on 15 September, UNI Global Union is hosting a webinar to rally activists worldwide in support of workers in Myanmar by calling for banks to pull investments from companies linked to the repressive regime.
The webinar, which will take place at 13:00 CEST, is part of a Global Day of Action for Democracy in Myanmar coordinated by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). It will give an update on the situation in the country and UNI actions as well as feature speakers from the labour movement in Myanmar, UNI and the ITUC. (Register here)
“International financial institutions have billions of dollars tied up in companies with links to the military junta,” said UNI General Secretary, Christy Hoffman. “UNI Global Union is calling on banks to stop financing the military coup and invest in democracy – not repression – in Myanmar.”
In July, UNI wrote to multinational banks including Credit Suisse and UBS in Switzerland, and Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo in the USA, calling on them to urgently divest from their shareholdings in Myanmar following the coup d’état in February.
The banks have at least US$1 billion invested in shareholdings in companies that have direct or longstanding commercial ties to the Myanmar’s military or links to state entities that the military is controlling as a result of the coup.
UNI has joined the entire global trade union movement in condemning the military coup and demanding that the military generals restore democratic order and release all political prisoners.
To date, 965 people, including children, have been killed. Some 5,550 people are in detention and 65 people have been sentenced to death. Trade unions are also under attack and arrest warrants have been issued for 28 committee members of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM).
UNI is also calling for the United Nations to recognize the National Unity Government (NUG) as the legitimate representative of Myanmar at the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which starts on 14 September.
The 15 September webinar, organized by UNI Finance, is open to all and will provide information for unions about simple actions they can take in this crucial campaign for democracy.
Register here: https://uniglobalunion-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-wDlaxP9TZyFVZHUrbZNBg
Interpretation will be offered in English, French, Spanish, Japanese and Portuguese. Other languages may be added according to participant numbers.
