The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population issued a statement on April 3 calling on factory workers not to stage mass protests that are contrary to the instructions released by the Ministry of Health and Sports for prevention of the COVID-19 spread.

Kyaw Htwe, chairman of the Upper House committee for local and overseas labour affairs confirmed the statement.

“It was issued yesterday morning (April 3). The statement was referred to another statement issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports banning large gatherings under the instruction of a national level committee. Action will be taken in line with the statement of the health ministry. We will not use the labour law. Negotiation can be made through representatives and officials concerned. Only then will our COVID-19 preventive measures be effective,” said Kyaw Htwe.

According to the health ministry’s statement and the Ministry of President Office’s instruction, as COVID-19 can be infected through large gatherings, meetings, ceremonies and festivities shall be banned until April 30.

The statement issued by the Ministry Labour, Immigration and Population says factory workers can express their wishes and make demands through representatives. These days, some workers are staging protests and blocking their factories for their demand. In so doing, they could face legal action if they fail to follow the instructions issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports.