Yangon factory workers say they are being mobilized to support the military’s proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in the upcoming election.
Since last month, junta-appointed local administrators have visited workplaces to explain voting procedures and collect worker lists, while factory owners have urged workers to cast their ballots for the USDP.
A worker from Shwepyithar Industrial Zone told The Irrawaddy that employers themselves are organizing the effort. “They are doing it for the party they support, the USDP,” the worker said, speaking anonymously out of fear of reprisals.
Employees said they have already been registered by ward administration offices, but factories are requiring them to fill out additional voter application forms.
Another worker said employers are being “pressured” to accept election preparations inside their factories. “We have to submit registration forms, purportedly to vote,” he said.
Although workers say overt intimidation has not yet occurred, they fear that refusing to vote or turning down invitations to campaign could trigger threats.
“It’s not obvious yet, but if someone refuses, it could happen,” one worker said.
Some employees said they had no interest in voting but felt they might be forced to participate if the pressure turned to threats.
USDP chairman Khin Yi has pledged to raise wages to match current living costs and introduce new labor protection laws if his party wins. Yangon’s Hlaing Tharyar and Shwepyithar townships host thousands of garment workers, many of whom are now facing election pressure from both employers and administrators.
Ma Phyo Sandar Soe of the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) said ordinary people do not want to take part in the junta’s election. “Workers will try to avoid it as much as possible, but both employers and employees are under pressure,” she said.
International labor federations representing around millions of workers have already denounced the junta’s polls as a sham.
To mark International Democracy Day on September 15, the Global Union Federation representing over 200 million workers unequivocally condemned the junta’s planned December 28 election, calling it a dangerous mockery of democracy and a calculated ploy to entrench military rule.
The junta says the first phase of voting will be held on December 28 in 102 townships, followed by a second phase on January 11 in another 100 townships.
