Total SE insisted that it would continue its operations on Yadana gas fields in Myanmar despite the military junta and anti-government countrywide protests sparked by the military coup that took place two months ago.
The French company explained the decision saying its withdrawal would hurt employees, arguing that it would stay in the country as long as its operations remained safe. According to Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne, workers could be exposed to forced labor if the company decides to leave the fields.
"Can we halt the production of this gas that supplies electricity to a large population in Yangon, adding to their suffering? For their part, the Thai authorities have alerted us to the importance of this source of energy," Pouyanne commented.
