ILO Governing Body, 356th session - EU Statement - Follow-up to the resolution concerning the measures recommended by the Governing Body under article 33 of the ILO Constitution on the subject of Myanmar

European Union Statement

ILO Governing Body, 356^th session 

23 March – 2 April 2026

________

Follow-up to the resolution concerning the measures recommended by the Governing Body under article 33 of the ILO Constitution on the subject of Myanmar

GB.355/INS/13

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Geneva, 31 March 2026

Chair,

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

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Georgia, the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Switzerland align themselves with this statement.

Since our last discussion, the situation in Myanmar has continued to deteriorate. There has been no discernible progress towards the restoration of democratic governance or the re-establishment of conditions conducive to the effective exercise of fundamental rights and civil liberties. Armed conflict, insecurity and humanitarian needs have further intensified. 

We remain deeply concerned by serious and ongoing violations of fundamental labour rights, including restrictions on freedom of association, interference in the activities of workers’ organisations, and reprisals against trade unionists and labour activists. Reports of forced or compulsory labour, imposed by the military regime, including in the context of conscription, remain particularly alarming. 

The EU welcomes the release last October of three prominent trade unionists and labour rights defenders, one of which had been a long-standing request contained in the ILO Commission of Inquiry, as well as the release in February of this year of nine other labour rights defenders, unlawfully arrested last year. We are concerned about reports of other trade unionists remaining in detention. We regret reports of continuous interference in the functioning of workers’ and employers’ organisations, including through the use of military-backed unions to undermine genuine freedom of association.

We closely followed the electoral process organised by the Myanmar military in December 2025 and January 2026, conducted amid continued armed conflict, widespread insecurity and significant political restrictions. As highlighted by UN actors, these elections lacked a credible, transparent and inclusive process, in line with international standards, and do not contribute to a return to democratic governance.

We reiterate our profound concern at the continued and deliberate non-compliance by the military authorities with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry.

We reaffirm our commitment to the full implementation of the Article 33 resolution and underline the importance of continued follow-up by all ILO constituents. In this regard, any actions and engagement must not enable, facilitate or prolong violations of fundamental rights and must respect the principle of non-refoulement. 

We welcome the Office’s continued efforts to support workers, employers and communities in Myanmar under very challenging conditions. 

We also welcome progress in developing the monitoring mechanism for the confidential and credible documentation of violations of fundamental rights, in particular freedom of association and abolition of forced labour. This mechanism will be essential for supporting accountability, guiding responsible business conduct, including human rights due diligence, and informing governing body deliberations. 

We encourage the Office to continue work towards its operationalisation, and underline the importance of adequate resourcing, as well as towards any other possible initiative aimed at improving workers’ conditions, in close consultation with social partners. 

The EU and its Member States will continue to work with the ILO and all relevant actors to secure meaningful compliance by the Myanmar military with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry and to support the people of Myanmar in their pursuit of dignity, justice and decent work. 

We support the decision point. 

Thank you, Chair.

1. ^  North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.