Women’s Federation (Myanmar) on October 17 issued a statement that strongly condemns the violent attack on female protesters of the FU YUEN garment factory.

Since September 3, more than 200 workers from FU YUEN garment factory started opening a protest camp for the dismissals of about 30 factory workers including the leaders from the Labour Union. The factory fails to solve workers’ demands. On October 15, a gang of thugs carried out violent attacks on protestors including other workers, with sticks and knives. A total of nine workers—one male and eight females—were injured in the attack. The injured workers were sent to Yangon People’s Hospital and Thingangyun Sanpya Hospital, according to the statement.

“We strongly condemn those involved in the attacks on innocent factory workers who were staging a peaceful protest. This incident poses a challenge to Myanmar’s peace and stability and rule of law. We earnestly call on relevant organizations to expose those involved in the case and take legal action against them”, the statement says.

It adds, “Most of the protesters are female. We urge the government to put the special emphasis on the protection of labour rights to avoid oppressions by foreign entrepreneurs in the future.”

On the morning of October 15, a gang of thugs attacked protestors with sticks, in front of the FU YUEN garment factory. Residents that live in the vicinity later threw stones at the factory in anger as a response to violent attacks on workers.

The police detained three people who made a demand for the arrest of attackers as a gang of thugs went outside together with worker in the evening.

The police also arrested three people who staged a protest against the violent attacks in Myaenigone Township on the evening of October 16.