GB.342/INS/5/Decision

Decision concerning the update on the situation in Myanmar and on additional measures to promote the restoration of workers’ rights

Record of decisions | 25 June 2021
In the light of the above developments and noting the resolution for a return to democracy and respect for fundamental rights in Myanmar adopted by the International Labour Conference at its 109th Session (2021), the Governing Body:

(a) expressed profound concern that the situation in Myanmar has deteriorated and that no progress has been made to respect the will of the people, respect democratic institutions and processes, and restore the democratically elected government;

(b) expressed profound concern over ongoing practices of the military authorities including the large-scale use of lethal violence and the use of forced labour, as well as the harassment, ongoing intimidation, arrests and detentions of trade unionists and others, including the Rohingya, for exercising their human rights, and called on the military authorities to cease immediately such activities, and to release from detention and drop any charges against trade unionists who have peacefully participated in protest activities;

(c) expressed deep concern that the military authorities have taken no steps to respect and protect the status of the ILO Liaison Office in Myanmar and all ILO staff in Myanmar and to refrain from interference in its operations in keeping with the principles of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies of 21 November 1947;

(d) expressed its grave concern that measures curtailing freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly remain in place and that further restrictions have been implemented by the military authorities on the internet, and called again for the immediate repeal of such measures and for guarantees of the freedom of workers’ and employers’ organizations to undertake their activities freely and without threat of intimidation or harm;
(e) urged Myanmar to uphold fully and without delay its obligations under the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and to ensure that workers’ and employers’ organizations are able to exercise their rights in a climate of freedom and security, free from violence, arbitrary arrest, and detention;

(f) repeated its call for the Civil Services Personnel Law, the Settlement of Labour Disputes Law and the Labour Organization Law to be amended without delay, once the democratically elected government has been restored, consistent with Convention No. 87;
(g) acknowledged and expressed appreciation for the efforts of the ILO Liaison Office in Myanmar to continue to work to implement development cooperation programmes focusing on decent work and promoting labour rights; and

(h) requested the Director-General to report to the 343rd Session (November 2021) of the Governing Body on developments in Myanmar.

(GB.342/INS/5, paragraph 32, as amended by the Governing Body)