Thakin Lwin

Thakin Lwin (, ; 5 November 1914 – 20 December 1996) was a Burmese politician and trade unionist, writer and journalist. He was a leading member of the anti-colonial Dobama Asiayone movement, a parliamentarian, the president of the Trade Union Congress (Burma) and a prominent leader of the Burma Workers and Peasants Party.

Early life Lwin was born in Zigon, Tharrawaddy District, in 1914 to a family of traders. He finished high school in 1936.

Political life

Pre-war Lwin served as the secretary of the Oilfield Workers' Association between 1938 and 1941. Lwin's discourse for organising workers was based on a combination of nationalism and communalism. He and other revolutionary leftwing Thakins mobilized support for the oilworkers' strike of 1938, giving revolutionary speeches in favour of Marxism-Leninism. Basing themselves of the experiences of the oilworkers' strike, a preparatory committee to set up a 'All Burma Workers Asiayone' was formed in 1939. Lwin was one of the members of the preparatory committee. Lwin's speech made the ongoing division in the Socialist Party public. Lwin became the president of the Burma Trade Union Congress (BTUC).

During the 1950s he was active in the National Unity Front, and electoral front launched by the BWPP ahead of the 1955 elections. He also served as the chairman of the Burma Conference to Defend World Peace.

Lwin retired from political life following the 1962 coup. However, with the democratic opening in 1988, he again became active in politics in September 1988. He became chairman of the People's Democratic Party. His party become officially registered on 4 October 1988.

Literary and journalism career Lwin founded the Shudaung Journal (lit. Viewpoint Journal) in 1969 and was the chief editor of the journal until its closing in 1971.

He also wrote several books. The notable ones are: , 1947 (Let's Build A Workers' World, ) (May Day Thamaing), 1949 (Bloodied Battle: History of May Day, ) , 1956 (Thakin Kodaw Hmaing and Peace in Domestic Affairs, ) , 1967 (Select Writings of U Ottama, ) , 1968 (History of Burmese Workers Movement, ) – Winner, Myanmar National Literary Award, Second Prize , 1969 (Japanese Burma, ) , 1971 (U Wisara the Martyr, ) , (translated), 1972

Death Lwin died in his Yangon residence on 20 December 1996. A funeral service was held on 24 December 1996. It was attended by family, friends, politicians and diplomatic representatives. Aung San Suu Kyi was barred from assisting the funeral, as she was under house arrest. Her party, the National League for Democracy, was represented at the funeral by party vice chairman Kyi Maung.