As thousands gathered for the annual International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, the IUF together with sister global union BWI organized a demonstration on behalf of the Council of Global Unions to call on the International Labour Organization (ILO) to invoke Article 33 of its constitution against the ruling military junta of Myanmar. Article 33 empowers the ILO to take action when a member state fails to comply with recommendations from the ILO’s Commission of Inquiry. Specifically, Article 33 states that in cases where a member does not fulfill the recommendations, the Governing Body may recommend to the ILC measures of a punitive or corrective nature, including sanctions or other actions, to secure compliance.
- For more than three years, the military junta has failed to carry out the ILO’s recommendations after an ILO Commission of Inquiry found serious violations of forced labour and freedom of association protocols
- Myanmar’s trade unions have argued that the banning of their organizations as well as the absence of the freedom of association constitute modern slavery; the ILO Commission of inquiry confirmed this in its report of far-reaching violations of freedom of association and forced labour conventions
- The military regime has killed more than 4,000 people, arrested almost 26,000, and suspended civil society organizations, including independent trade unions
Sue Longley, IUF General Secretary, stated, “The IUF stands with our sister global unions in calling on the ILO to invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution. Companies—including those in the hospitality sector which continue to provide material support to the military junta—must immediately cease all operations until democracy is restored to Myanmar.”
Please also see the IUF’s speech to the International Labour Conference, delivered on June 11, 2024:
Director General, Chair, delegates,
The IUF is the global union federation representing millions of workers in the food, agriculture and hospitality sectors.
We welcome the Director General’s report Towards a renewed social contract. It opens with the statement “Social justice remains an imperative and an essential condition for universal and lasting peace.” And we believe Myanmar should be one of the countries of the ILO focus. It is where people are striving for justice and peace under a military dictatorship.
Since the coup in February 2021, the IUF, along with the global trade union federations and the ITUC have supported the workers in Myanmar by campaigning for the restoration of democracy and recognition of the National Unity Government (NUG) including its participation in the ILC. Unfortunately, the NUG is still not recognised within the UN system and the delegation is not accredited at this ILC.
The IUF is therefore proud to deliver this speech on behalf of the NUG.
The National Unity Government was born from the will of the people through elected members of parliament and representatives of diverse ethnic groups, embodies this very aspiration. It is the authentic voice of Myanmar’s workers, employers, and civil society which yearn for democracy that enshrines their fundamental rights, including the right to speak freely, assemble peacefully, and work with dignity.
The military junta remains a tyrant, clinging to power through fear. Daily atrocities include violations of fundamental labour and human rights, torture, and the destruction of homes, villages, hospitals, and religious buildings through bombings. Union leaders face arrest warrants, unjust imprisonment on fabricated charges, and restrictions on foreign travel.
Recent actions, such as the forced conscription law and ban on male citizens working abroad, clearly demonstrate the suppression of basic labour rights and freedom of work. The military junta is collecting data on young people, harassing them about their movements, and conducting forced recruitment raids in homes and villages.
The junta’s crackdown isn’t limited to young people and employers. Financial services entrepreneurs, bankers, and even the president of the Oil Industry Association have been arrested on accusations of manipulating the foreign exchange rate and inflating prices. Four foreign palm oil entrepreneurs also faced arrest.
This climate of fear extends to workplaces, where the true number of labour rights violations is likely much higher than the 212 local and 357 foreign cases documented by the National Unity Government’s Ministry of Labour since the 2021 coup. These figures highlight the junta’s disregard for the ILO’s Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar’s call to end all violations by October 1, 2023.
Despite the immense challenges, the NUG and its Ministry of Labour remains unwavering in its commitment to upholding labour rights. But only by dismantling this oppressive regime can the NUG truly protect the rights of its citizens and build the future the people of Myanmar deserve.
The findings of the ILO’s Commission of Inquiry and its recommendations need urgent action. The people of Myanmar cannot wait – the violence against them continues to escalate. The recent UN resolution extending the Special Rapporteur’s mandate and the international call to action highlight the urgency of a unified response.
The IUF calls on all ILO members – governments, employers, and trade unions – to recognize the gravity of the situation and support immediate action at this very conference.
Just like in 2000, invoking Article 33 will send a powerful message of support for the people of Myanmar.
The time for decisive action is now and we would like to urge the ILO and its member states to:
- Deepen collaboration with the NUG: Support the democratic movement and the people of Myanmar in their fight for freedom.
- Recognize the National Unity Government without further delay and ensure the NUG is accredited for the 113th ILC.
- Hold the junta accountable: Demand an end to forced conscription, the human rights abuses, and the suppression of democracy. Use all ILO mechanisms, particularly Article 33 of the ILO Constitution to ensure compliance with international labour standards.
The NUG stands ready to collaborate with the ILO and its member states in building a federal democratic Myanmar that respects and upholds the dignity of all its citizens.
The IUF and Global Unions support this call.
Thank you.
