Our Triumph site

January 16, 2001
Mr. Stefan Indermuhle
Bern Declaration (Swiss Clean Clothes Campaign)
Quellenstrasse 25, PF
8031 Zurich, Switzerland
fax: (41-1) 277-7001

Dear Brother Indermuhle,

Thank you for your communications and help about Triumph International's factory in Burman. We strongly support your work to force Triumph to end its investment in our country. Triumph is doing business directly with the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings (UMEH), a company that is controlled by the military that represses our people, engages in atrocious human rights abuses (including forced labor that has recently been condemned by the ILO). The SLORC/SPDC military regime in Burma has prevented independent unions from forming, and two of our executive board members (Myo Aung Thant and Khin Kyaw) are serving long prison sentences for their work with us.

Unfortunately, it is a fact that direct investment in Burma first benefits the military regime in our country. By strengthening the regime financially, this investment makes it much more difficult for the democratic forces and the trade union movement to persuade the SPDC generals to setp aside. For this reason, we need strong international pressure on foreign companies in Burma to continue. This is why we very much appreciate the Bern Declaration's efforts to campaign to get Triumph to leave Burma.

The best way to ensure the long-term happiness and prosperity of Burmese workers is for them to be free, and represented by independent trade unions. This cannot happen as long as SPDC is in power, and continues to receive monetary support from foreign companies.

You have our full support in all efforts to persuade Triumph to end its involvement in Burma. When Burma is free and democratic, only then should companies invest in the country. Thank you again for your solidarity, it makes us strong to continue our struggle.

In solidarity,

U Maung Maung
General Secretary