Reuters-Companies must examine Myan

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Companies must examine Myanmar operations-Amnesty 
01:37 p.m Aug 19, 1998 Eastern 

LONDON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Amnesty International said on Thursday that
companies investing in Myanmar can no longer claim ignorance of widespread
forced labour and should ensure their operations in the country do not
violate human rights. 

The London-based human rights group issued its statement a day after the
International Labour Organisation (ILO) accused Myanmar's military
government of systematically forcing women, chldren and the elderly to work
for the army. 

Foreign companies often set up joint ventures with the army, Amnesty said,
adding that hundreds of forced labourers were killed or left for dead if
they tried to escape or were no longer capable of working. 

``The directors of these companies must seriously examine their operations
in Myanmar to ensure that their presence is not contributing to human
rights violations,'' Amnesty said. 

The report by the ILO -- the United Nations labour body -- would inspire
consumers, shareholders and the public to hold companies which do business
in Myanmar to account, Amnesty said.