If you are from the working class, life is just much harder than many people in politics realise — Theresa May
Injudicious actions by Min Aung Hlaing and his puerile underlings are causing a havoc across the country with no signs of slowing down. Economy is collapsing, IDPs (Internally Displaced Person) are increasing and stability across the country deteriorating. People from all walks of life are floundering but there is one particular group of people going to bed not knowing whether they can survive the next day or not.
The most fragile and fundamental social class is under uttermost danger and without any help, we will be witnessing the largest humanitarian crisis in Myanmar’s history.
Who are they?
Proletarians or commonly known as the working class is the social class of wage-earners, those members of a society whose only possession of significant economic value is their labour power (their capacity to work). This particular group of people made up around 75% of the population in Myanmar and most of them hailing from rural areas. Often regarded as the pioneer architects of Burma’s Independence, they led The 1300 Revolution (၁၃၀၀ ပြည့် အရေးတော်ပုံ) in 1938 which was then the largest and the most powerful strikes in British-Burma history. It gave birth to notorious leaders, namely Thakin Pho Hla Gyi and many female leaders who would then continue to aid in Burma’s quest for independence.
For decades, the working class worked in menacing and unsanitary conditions with extremely low wages just so that people like us can live a life in what we call a “Paradise”. They own no properties, are treated cruelly and received no basic necessities yet the on-going Civil Disobedience Movement shows that Myanmar is not capable of running smoothly without the help of the working class. Despite all these rasping conditions, the working class still gave their all in this revolution. You name it, they gave it. They protested out on the streets, they defended the barbaric atrocities by the military and they supported us in any means possible. Many of them gave up their lives and belongings just so that we can continue with our quest for a federal democracy. Now, let us think. What have we really done for them? Except for a few, many of us have been living without thinking much for the working class. We basically didn’t care for them. We neglected them.
Many of you are using the working class the same way Min Aung Hlaing’s army is using humans in the battlefields — as a shield
This makes you all no better than the very institution that we are trying to topple.
Change your mindsets
Just because you have food in your fridge, loved ones right beside you and is still surviving many of you are downplaying the importance of this revolution. This is a revolution not just for the benefit of a particular race, ethnicity or faith but a revolution to liberate the entire country out of this fascist regime. A nation where the working class will not be exploited of their efforts. A nation where human rights are fully respected.
So, for the sake of the future of this country and our people, let us all fight off this evil regime hand in hand. Have some pity for all our people out in the jungles and prisons. Know that many of us have walked a path we can’t return. This is a do or die situation. Spread awareness, donate to people in need, care for the working class and do your part in this revolution. This is a game we must win. This is a game we “will” win.
