Myanmar National Airlines staff go on strike according to their wishes

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

According to Myanmar National Airlines (MNA), from 4 February 2021 on domestic routes, MNA  crew (pilots, flight attendants) and ground staff of the MNA Engineering and Logistics Maintenance Department jointly spoke to the outside world that they are responding to the Civil Disobedience Campaign non-violent demonstrations by way of strike. According to the statement, MNA staff oppose the military's takeover of the Myanmar civilian government by means of strike according to their wishes.

A pilot of MNA stated that they want to oppose the military's governance by means of a strike, and they will not recognize a military government that governs without being elected. They do not want to cause trouble and influence to the domestic travellers. They do not have any complaints against MNA but as Myanmar citizens they need to do so. During the pandemic, they participate in the relief flights and cargo flights. During each flight, they did not drink water nor eat food. They have persisted for the country until now. The strike movement is based on their own wishes, and they will not force anyone. Now that the country is facing difficulties, they can only do what they can.

At the same time, the MNA Engineering and Maintenance Department also issued a statement, strongly opposing the use of force by the ruling military. The MNA Logistics Department has supported non-violent demonstrations in the country, and will work hand in hand with the domestic people to advance and retreat, and use strikes to oppose the Myanmar military taking over the power.

According to the statement, the MNA crew and logistics department will continue to strike until the military transfers power to the NLD government. Due to the strikes by the crew and the logistics department, most of the airline's commercial flights can only be postponed indefinitely. Meanwhile, relief flights to and from Singapore, Suvarnabhumi and Delhi will continue on plan.

According to MNA, it has operated more than 27 return relief flights from Singapore, 12 return relief flights from Suvarnabhumi with the 13th on 12 February 2021 and on 9 February 2021, it will operate its fourth relief flight between Yangon and Delhi with flight UB7003 leaving Yangon for Delhi at 9.45 am, reaching Delhi at 12.30 pm before taking off from Delhi for Yangon at 2 pm and arriving in Yangon at 6.15 pm under flight UB7004.  

Refs : Myanmar Chinese Net via Minhangshi, http://www.minhangshi.com/m/h5/detail/9169347, Myanmar National Airlines Facebook