Myanmar unions call for nationwide strike starting Monday - statement

FILE PHOTO: Security force officers hold shields in Nyaung-U, Myanmar, March 7, 2021, in this picture obtained from social media by Reuters.

(Reuters) - An alliance of influential worker unions in Myanmar has called for an extended nationwide strike starting on Monday, with the intention of causing the "full, extended shutdown" of the country's economy in an attempt to stop a military coup.

In a statement, nine labour organisations called on "all Myanmar people" to stop work in an effort to reverse the seizure of power by the military, which overthrew the civilian government on Feb. 1.