Help the people of Burma! Stand with them in solidarity!

The events in Burma in the past month have been extraordinary. Up to 100,000 people have taken to the streets, defying one of the most brutal military regimes in the world, to demand their rights.

With protests in Burma, led by Buddhist monks and nuns, gathering momentum in recent days the military junta has now reacted with ferocious assaults on the demonstrators. The Federation of Trade Unions of Burma, an associated organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), reports today (27 Sept. 2007) that one monk has been killed by the military, and violent confrontations have taken place in several locations, notably around the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon. Some 700 students, monks and nuns have been beaten by riot police with batons, and at least 20 teargas canisters and a similar number of live bullets have been fired by police in the vicinity of the Pagoda. Other sources indicate that as many as four people may have been killed, and several hundred arrested.

We, the workers of Australia, stand in solidarity with the people of Burma to show our support. Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA and the ACTU, as well as supporting the many rallies going on around Australia, would also like to provide material support to the workers of Burma, so that they are equipped to join the other protestors in Solidarity.

Trade unions are illegal in Burma, however there is an active 'union movement' operating in exile who have been courageously supporting workers inside Burma to organise.

In line with the ITUC's agenda, Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA and the ACTU have decided to support the workers of Burma by raising funds. These funds will go to:

• Assisting workers in Burma with communication tools so that they may communicate with each other and the outside world
• Supporting the workers and their families should they be incarcerated by the regime

To make a donation to this appeal, please read the following instructions. Donations of $2 or more to Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA are tax deductible.

How you can donate using your credit card via our secure online donation form:

1. Click here to access our secure online donation form, select SECTION C: ONE OFF DONATIONS & APPEALS (donations are tax deductible) and select "Burma refugees" from the drop down menu.

2. Then simply enter the amount you wish to donate in the box on the right, click Continue and complete your payment details.

Alternatively, you can download the donation form below and post your cheque (payable to Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA) to Level 3, 377-383 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000, or telephone 1800 888 674 to make your donation.

Thank you for your generous support of this appeal.

Download File:
Donate now to help the workers in Burma [ pdf ]
Contact Details
Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA
Ph:  (02) 9264 9343
Fax: (02) 9261 1118
office@apheda.org.au

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Last Modified: Friday, 28-Sep-2007 09:01:57 EST
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