2 June 2026

ASIA PACIFIC: ITUC, GLOBAL UNIONS URGE AIPA, IPU TO REJECT MYANMAR JUNTA'S BID FOR LEGITIMACY

Different global union federations and the International Trade Union Confederation Asia-Pacific (ITUC-AP) has called on regional and international parliamentary bodies to reject any attempt by Myanmar's military junta to gain political legitimacy through representation in the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

In a joint statement issued on 2 June, the organisations said the junta's efforts to secure parliamentary recognition amount to a deliberate attempt to "launder military rule through international institutions" following its 2021 coup that overthrew Myanmar's democratically elected government. The statement was signed by the Asia-Pacific regional organisations of the Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI), Education International, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), Public Services International (PSI), UNI Global Union, and ITUC-AP.

The unions warned that recognising representatives from the junta-controlled parliament would undermine democratic legitimacy, international accountability, and ASEAN's own commitments under the Five-Point Consensus. They urged AIPA, IPU, ASEAN member states, national parliaments, and the international labor movement to reject any effort by the junta or its proxies to claim parliamentary representation, stressing that Myanmar's military rulers cannot seek international legitimacy while continuing to repress democratic forces, trade unionists, and civilians. The groups also cautioned against future attempts by the junta to gain recognition in other multilateral institutions, including the International Labour Organization and the United Nations General Assembly, and reaffirmed their solidarity with Myanmar's workers and people in their struggle for democracy, justice, and freedom.

Joint statement.

Sign your group here.