Twelve garment factory workers who were detained and charged with sedition in June for demanding higher wages at factories that supplied the Spanish brand Zara and the German brand Jako have been released.
They were released on Monday evening after being charged with sedition under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code and for violating Section 17 (1) of the Unlawful Association Act.
Federation of General Workers Myanmar chair Ma Moe Sandar Myint said: “We heard that all the trade union leaders from [the two] factories were released on Monday. But we don’t know why they were released.”
Ten workers, including labour union leaders from Hosheng (Myanmar) Garment Co Ltd in Yangon’s Shwe Pyi Thar Township, and Sun Apparel Myanmar Garment Factory in Hlaing Tharyar Township were arrested in June. Two more workers were reportedly arrested later, though the regime said it only detained 10 factory workers from June 14-17. All the detained workers have been released.
Ma Moe Sandar Myint said: “Workers only demanded a pay increase as their salaries remain the same despite soaring food prices. They only demanded their rights and it was nothing political.”
Hosheng (Myanmar) Garment was a supplier of the Spanish brand Zara. Sun Apparel Myanmar supplied the German brand Jako.
The release of detained union leaders and workers followed announcements by global brands H&M, Zara and Jako that they would phase out of Myanmar following reports of escalating rights abuses at their supplying factories in the country.
