Myanmar union leader calls for action, not just words
Trade unionists gathered at Sydney Trades Hall on 27 July to hear about the dire human rights situation in Myanmar and how Australia can help.
Speaking at the forum was exiled union leader and Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) president Maung Maung, alongside democracy activist and ALTSEAN-Burma coordinator Debbie Stothard.
Deadly situation
Five years after the military coup in Myanmar, the situation is still deadly for civilians.
On the ground, workers and young people continue to resist and reject the illegitimate government while in the sky, the junta is increasing air strikes.
The international community continues to look on, even though it has the tools to hold the regime to account. Both Maung Maung and Stothard agreed that the biggest challenge is getting governments, including Australia’s, to use them.
The forum comes at a critical moment. In June 2025, the International Labour Organization adopted Article 33 measures against Myanmar – a rare and powerful intervention reserved for the most serious labour rights violations.
In March 2026, an Australian parliamentary inquiry into democracy and human rights in Myanmar recommended stronger sanctions, action to cut off jet fuel supplies to the military and greater support for those resisting the regime.
Maung Maung welcomed these developments but said they were insufficient unless backed by action.
“Resolutions are good,” he said. “But without follow up, we don’t get results.”
Australia has been meek
CTUM is calling on the Albanese Labor government to work more closely with Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) governments and implement the recommendations of the parliamentary inquiry.
Maung Maung said the inquiry’s recommendations were a practical roadmap for Australian policy towards Myanmar.
Despite a global fuel crisis, the military regime continues to churn through jet fuel while carrying out air strikes to stop resistance forces that are gaining control of large areas of territory.
“From January to June this year there were 1625 civilian deaths, most of them women and children,” Stothard said.
In March, the military junta convened a new parliament following an election widely regarded as neither free nor fair.
“Australia has been meek and mild-mannered and hasn’t asserted its influence,” Stothard said.
“It is important for ASEAN to hear from Australia and for Australia to step up.”
However, Maung Maung and Stothard both highlighted reasons for hope.
Local communities have established alternative administrations across almost half the country, while young people, women and ethnic minorities are planning for a democratic future.
Stothard described a recent economic policy initiative that brought together activists from conflict zones across Myanmar.
Despite facing considerable danger, the gathering showed the resilience, commitment and determination of people, policy makers and activists.
International solidarity matters
Attending the forum, IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Carol Matthews said the situation in Myanmar is dire.
“Since the coup began, the junta has forcibly recruited young people – children as young as 12 – into the army,” she said.
“And it continues to kill civilians through airstrikes.
“The Australian government must join the international community in rejecting all attempts at legitimising the military regime and align sanctions with key allies.”
The IEU has signed an open letter calling on the Albanese government to implement the recommendations of the Senate committee’s report on Myanmar.
For unionists, the message is clear: international solidarity matters.
As Maung Maung said, “International trade union solidarity does work.”
The task now is ensuring governments match that solidarity with action.
For more information
To view the open letter, the economic policy report, the Senate committee’s recommendations and other information, visit:bit.ly/ieu-myanmar