European Union

Statement

International Labour Conference

113th session

 Geneva, 2-13 June 2025

________

Plenary

Myanmar

Measures recommended by the Governing Body under article 33 of the Constitution to secure compliance by Myanmar with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry in respect of Conventions Nos 87 and 29

________

Geneva, 5 June 2025

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International Labour Conference
111^th session 
Geneva, 2-13 June 2025

Plenary

Myanmar

Measures recommended by the Governing Body under article 33 of the Constitution to secure compliance by Myanmar with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry in respect of Conventions Nos 87 and 29

EU statement

Chair,

I speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The candidate countries Türkiye, North Macedonia, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Georgia, the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this statement.   

1. The International Labour Conference stands before a critical decision regarding the persistent and grave violations of fundamental labour rights in Myanmar. The application of Article 33 of the ILO Constitution represents the strongest measure available within the Organisation’s supervisory system and sends a clear message about the international community’s intolerance of systemic non-compliance. We wish to stress that this measure responds to the continued and deliberate violations by the Myanmar military of the ILO fundamental Conventions No. 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise and No. 29 on Forced Labour by which Myanmar is bound.

2. The gravity and pervasiveness of the human rights and humanitarian crisis created by the military’s actions in Myanmar since the military coup of 2021, further compounded by natural disasters like the devastating earthquake last March, is appalling. The violations of the two ILO fundamental conventions led the ILO Governing Body to establish a Commission of Inquiry in March 2022.

3. The Commission of Inquiry has documented very serious incidents and violence against trade union leaders and members committed by the military. We condemn these acts in the strongest possible terms, as well as the continuing widespread labour rights abuses and oppression of trade unions, and call for the rapid release of the MICS Secretary General Thet Hnin Aung. We are also concerned about the reported establishment of a military-backed trade union confederation that carries the same acronym in Burmese as the CTUM. 

4. We are gravely concerned by the continuing systematic and widespread forced labour imposed by the military on the people of Myanmar, including children, to perform a range of military-related activities. We also deplore the exaction of forced labour from members of ethnic, religious or other minorities. 

5. We concur with the assessment of the ILO Office that the Myanmar military has not demonstrated a meaningful understanding of the gravity of the situation and the need for specific and urgent action in line with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry. Additionally, beyond general information, we have not received any specific indication of concrete actions taken to implement the eleven recommendations for urgent action by the military. 

6. The Conference gathers today to adopt the draft resolution based on recommendation of its General Affairs Committee. We consider that the draft resolution is balanced and that it provides for measures that are effective and targeted at those responsible for the violations and press for the full respect of labour rights as fast as possible. We also understand that the draft resolution acknowledges the importance of sustainable livelihoods under decent working conditions. It also provides space to avoid measures which could adversely affect the people of Myanmar, especially the most vulnerable.

7. We therefore support adoption of the draft resolution by the Conference.  

8. We urge the Myanmar military to engage without further delay in good faith implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry.

Thank you, Chair.