Introduction Letter
I’m glad that I have an opportunity to introduce FTUK (Constitution of Federation of Trade Unions Kawthoolei) organization with you. FTUK is working for labor’s right in Burma, especially for ethnic minority groups such as Karen, chin, Mon and Shan.
FTUK organization offers a special training for the labor. FTUK is helping for the labors development and benefit for the labors to develop country.
I would encourage you to take a look my press kit; I’m sure you would interest to read and gain some general knowledge related with labor’s right or maybe you could help or support them in some other ways.
Thanks for your time and your interest. I really appreciate that.
Best regards,
Ruth (FTUK member)
PRESS REALESE
FTUK Organization
P.O. BOX 40
TAK-63110, MAE SOT, THAILAND
FTUK (Federation of Trade Unions Kawthoolei)
FTUK is working for labor rights, for those who live in Burma, especially for the Karen people who live in Burma and Thailand-Burma border.
When we look back at FTUK labor union’s history, it differs from other labor unions of developing countries.
Like other countries; the labor organizations were founded because the labor were oppressed, treated unfair and corrupted by their owners or employers. But for Karen labor union, it is not like that, they were oppressed and tortured long time by the Burmese military government, so they organized labor union to help Karen people under oppression.
SPDC (State Peace and Development Council), government and KNU (Karen National Union) were meeting for peace making in 1997, but it didn’t work so military were destroying Karen villages, their properties, their lands and killed people after the meeting. Some people dared not to live on their own land because of the military government. Many people escaped to the Thailand’s border as refugees. People left inside the country are being treated as IDP (Internally Displaced People). For these reasons KNU (Karen national Union) leaders met the congress to setup labor organization.
FTUK was found on October 7, 1998 after the congress meeting. Now FTUK has three branches called KEWU (Karen Education Workers Union), KHWU (Karen Health Workers' Union) and KAWU (Karen Agricultural Workers' Union.)
FTUK is working for Burmese and Karen labor for having full human rights and being free from oppression. Furthermore, it’s communicating and working together with other labor unions to help each other for labor’s rights.