Resolution on the widespread use of

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Subject: Resolution on the widespread use of forced labour in Myanmar  (Burma)

<bold>International Labour Conference

</bold>

Provisional Record

Eighty-seventh Session, Geneva, 1999



Resolution on the widespread use of forced labour in Myanmar (Burma)


Submitted by Mr. Brett, Workers' delegate, United Kingdom, and Mr.
Thusing, Employers' delegate, Germany, in accordance with article 17 (2)
of the Standing Orders of the Conference 


	The International Labour Conference,


	Reaffirming that all member States have an obligation to apply fully, in
law and in practice, the Convention that they have voluntarily 
ratified,

	Recalling that Myanmar (Burma) ratified the Forced Labour Convention,
1930 (N0. 29), and the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right
to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), on 4 March 1955,

	Taking note of the provision of United Nations General Assembly
resolution 53/ 162 of 9 December 1998 and of United Nations Commission of
Human Rights resolution 1999/17 of 23 April 1999, which also address the
use of forced labour in Myanmar (Burma),

	Recalling the decision of the Governing Body to place on the agenda of
its November 1999 session an item entitled: "Measures, including
recommendations under article 33 of the ILO Constitution, to secure
compliance by the Government of Myanmar with the recommendations of the
Commission of Inquiry",

	Gravely concerned by the Government's flagrant and persistent failure to
comply with the Convention, as concluded by the Commission of Inquiry
established to examine the observance of the Forced Labour Convention,
1930 (No. 29),

	Appalled by the continued widespread use of forced labour, including for
work on infrastructure projects and as porters for the army,

	Noting the report (dated 21 May 1999) of the Director-General to the
members of the Governing Body on measures taken by the Government of
Myanmar (Burma) following the recommendations of the Commission of
Inquiry;


1. Deeply deplores that:

	(a) the Government has failed to take the necessary steps to bring the
relevant legislative texts, in particular the Village Act and Towns Act,
into line with the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No.29), by 1May 1999,
as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry;

	(b) at the end of twentieth century, the State Peace and Development
Council (SPDC) has continued to inflict the practice of forced labour -- 
noting but a contemporary from of slavery  -- on the people of Myanmar

(Burma), despite repeated calls from the ILO and from the wider
international community for the past 30 years;

	(c) there is no credible evidence that those exacting forced labour in
Myanmar( Burma) have been punished under section 374 of the Penal Code;


2. Resolves:

	(a) that the attitude and behaviour of the Government of Myanmar (Burma)
are grossly incompatible with the conditions and principles governing
membership of the Organization;

	(b) that the Government of Myanmar (Burma) should cases to benefit from
any technical cooperation or assistance from the ILO until such time as
it has implemented the conclusion of the Commission of Inquiry;

	(c) that the Government of Myanmar (Burma) should henceforth not receive
any invitation to attend meetings, symposia and seminars organized by the
ILO, until such time as it has implemented the conclusions of the
Commission of Inquiry. 

  





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