<p>In the latest escalation of labor tensions in Burma, around 4,000 factory workers at an industrial estate on the outskirts of Rangoon staged a sit-in on Saturday to demand better pay, according to sources in the area.</p>

<p>56 organisations/groups have sent a letter to the ASEAN and Heads of Government of ASEAN countries, calling them to pay attention to the struggle of factory workers in Burma.</p>

<p>Burmese migrant workers, together with Thai labour activists and unionists, have petitioned the Thai government and the UN to extend the 28 Feb deadline for nationality verification.</p>

<p><strong>To the Thai people, via Cross-border News Agency,</strong></p> <p>Since 24/01/10 that the Cross-border News Agency started to circulate information relating to the coerced repatriation of Karen refugees in Nong Bua and Usu Tha temporary shelter on the Thai-Burma border to the Thai public, our stories have been discussed more in Thai media. &nbsp;From news and reports being monitored, we found that in fact, the Thai PM and authorities including Thai military have the very same stand with us; that is 'refugees will be allowed in Thailand when there are still threats in their homeland. &nbsp;When the situation is better, they must go back.'</p>

<p>Myanmar&rsquo;s government must halt its repression of ethnic minority activists before forthcoming national and local elections, Amnesty International warned in a major report released today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the target date for launching the ASEAN human rights body (AHRB)<br /> nears, civil society groups have warned depriving it of watchdog<br /> powers would erode the credibility of the regional organization.</p>