20 March, 2025On 15-16 March, peaceful demonstrations erupted across Myanmar, demanding that the ILO invoke article 33 of its constitution and strictly enforce the commission of inquiry recommendations.
Earlier this month, hundreds of people paraded the streets in Hpakant Town, Upper Kachin state, Southern Kayin State, Eastern Shan State, Sagaing region and the business district of Yangon region, holding banners with the message "ILO - we need article 33 to stop forced labour, child soldiers, forced military conscription and bombing of villages."
The Myanmar military junta who violently seized power on 1 February 2021, has failed to comply with the recommendations of the ILO Commission of Inquiry published in 2023. The Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM) and Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) have launched a global campaign to invoke the article 33 of the ILO Constitution, which would empower the ILO Governing Body to recommend actions to secure compliance with the commission report.
The Commission report called for the immediate cessation of all forms of violence and torture against trade union leaders that undermine the exercise of freedom of association, the unconditional release of all trade unionists detained and sentenced for participating in legitimate trade union activities, the withdrawal of all criminal charges pending against trade unionists, and the end of the exaction of forced or compulsory labour by the army and the forced recruitment of persons including children into the military.
On 17 March, the ILO Governing Body published a follow-up to the Commission report. It noted the communications of the National Unity Government (NUG), CTUM and IndustriALL Global Union on widespread violations of workers' rights in Myanmar.
The Governing Body had received a report from the Myanmar military junta on 15 January and observed that the report did not provide specific action related to the Commission report. The communication merely reported on "labour relations, dispute resolution, training, awareness-raising and inspection activities." The military invited an ILO high-level delegation to visit Myanmar to assess the working conditions.
As a result, the ILO Governing Body drafted a decision on the restoration of democracy and respect for fundamental rights in Myanmar, recommending the International Labour Conference consider measures under article 33 of the ILO Constitution to secure compliance by Myanmar with the commission report.
“We welcome the draft decision of the ILO Governing Body that gives a positive signal to invoke article 33 of the ILO Constitution. The everyday hardship under the terrorist military junta must end. International organizations must stand up for the universal human rights values advocated by them,”
says IWFM president Khaing Zar.
IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie says:
“We stand in solidarity with the Myanmar people and workers in the fight for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in the country. IndustriALL will extend every possible support to our affiliates to campaign for the full and immediate implementation of the commission of inquiry recommendations at international and regional forums.”