Myanmar: CTUM holds Extraordinary Congress; ITUC-Asia Pacific reaffirms strong solidarity and condemns junta’s sham elections

The Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) held its Extraordinary Congress from 1-2 November 2025 at a secure location along the Thai-Myanmar border, bringing together CTUM leaders and members to renew their commitment to democracy, workers’ rights, and trade union freedoms in the face of continued repression by the military junta. The Congress reaffirmed CTUM’s resolve to represent Myanmar’s workers despite the junta’s attempts to suppress the country’s legitimate trade union movement.

Joining the Congress in person, Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of the ITUC-Asia Pacific, delivered a powerful message of solidarity. He praised CTUM for its courage and leadership, and reaffirmed that ITUC-Asia Pacific recognises only the legitimate CTUM led by its democratically elected leadership under Maung Maung.

Condemning the junta’s sham elections

In his remarks, Shoya Yoshida strongly condemned the military junta’s so-called elections, calling them “nothing more than an attempt to legitimise dictatorship, silence dissent, and mislead the world.” He stressed:

“These elections do not represent democracy, but deceit, oppression, and the continued suffering of the Myanmar people.”

Shoya Yoshida also recalled that at the 27^th ITUC-Asia Pacific Regional General Council held in Nadi, Fiji, affiliates unanimously adopted the resolution “Rejecting the Sham Elections and Restoring Democracy in Myanmar”, welcoming the historic decision to invoke Article 33 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Constitution and supporting the CTUM's campaign to reject the sham elections.

Commitment to action and solidarity

Reaffirming ITUC-Asia Pacific’s unwavering commitment to Myanmar’s workers and trade unions, Shoya Yoshida pledged that the ITUC-Asia Pacific and its affiliates will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with CTUM to ensure the full implementation of the ILO Article 33 Resolution; support sanctions and diplomatic isolation of the military regime; call for an end to the flow of weapons and finances sustaining the junta; and promote the recognition of Myanmar’s legitimate trade union movement in all international forums.

Shoya Yoshida closed his address with a resounding message:

“Let us continue to fight — not just for Myanmar’s workers, but for the dignity of working people everywhere.”