Workers arrested following protest

[darnott@xxxxxxxxxxx]

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
March 22, 2001, Thursday

Workers arrested following protest over compensation claims

SOURCE: Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1245 gmt 20 Mar 01

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Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 20 March

DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] has broadcast the news that
workers from a motorcar tyre factory at Kanthayar Village in
Thaton Township staged a protest on 9 March to seek
compensation. The workers dispersed after the authorities told
them they can submit their grievances to relevant ministries.
Before the workers are able to present their petitions, members
of No. 5 Military Intelligence Unit [MI-5] have begun arresting
the leaders of the workers' protest. DVB correspondent
Myint Maung Maung filed this report.

[Myint Maung Maung] The MI-5 and Myanmar Police
Force Special Branch members began arresting the 19
grade-2 skilled workers who participated in the protest
on 9 and 10 March night. As they were continuing the
arrest on 11 March most workers have been absconding.
All work have been stopped at the factory and two
companies from LIB [Light Infantry Battalion] No 24 are
posted at the factory for security. A sign was installed at
the top of the lane leading to the factory that anyone who
passes through the factory lane from 1800 to 0600 is
liable to be shot. The authorities from Thaton District Police
Battalion and MI-5 had previously told the protesting workers that they 
could submit their petitions to
the relevant ministries but they were all arrested before they are able to 
submit anything.