The International Labour Organisation (ILO), an agency of the United Nations, released a report today which accuses Burma’s ruling military of systematic and widespread use of forced labour. The report charges that “any person who violates the prohibition of recourse to forced labour under the (ILO) Convention is guilty of an international crime that is also, if committed in a widespread or systematic manner, a crime against humanity”.
Following a complaint against Burma’s regime by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) the ILO established a Commission of Inquiry into forced labour in Burma. This is the strongest legal action the organisation can take against a member state.
The Inquiry has evidence of “threats to the life and security and extrajudicial punishment of those unwilling, slow or unable to comply with a demand for forced labour; such punishment or reprisals range from money demands, to physical abuse, beatings, torture, rape and murder.” It also has evidence that “forced labour in Myanmar (Burma) is widely performed by women, children and elderly persons as well as persons otherwise unfit for work”.
John Jackson, a Director of Burma Action Group says “What more evidence is needed as to the abhorrent nature of this regime. It’s time the international community gave its support to those millions of men women and children who are forced to labour in the worst conditions imaginable. Britain and the European Union can support them by meeting the challenge of Burma’s embattled democrats who have been calling repeatedly for sanctions against the regime – until now with little response.”
Burma Campaign UK