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New York: Moe Sandar Myint is the leader of one of Myanmarâs largest garment worker unions. Until recently, the 37-year-old mother of three and former sewing machine operator would spend her days representing workers with labour complaints and helping members of the Federation of Garment Workers Myanmar unionise their factories.
But her life changed on February 1, the day a coup brought back full military rule to the country after years of quasi-democracy. When the internet was cut off, workers flocked to the unionâs offices. Several days of informal meetings led to small-scale strikes on factory floors, spilling onto the streets outside and eventually feeding many of the increasingly deadly mass demonstrations that have taken place across Myanmar in recent weeks. Often seen at the very front, wearing a mask and white helmet, was Moe Sandar Myint.