Yangon: Myanmar's junta on Saturday criticized a United Nations resolution passed against it for forced labor and other labor practice violations, calling the decision "politically motivated." This decision, according to the junta's Labor Ministry, will have no effect on employers, workers, and businesses in Myanmar, as stated in their official response.
According to Anadolu Agency, the International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialized agency of the UN, invoked Article 33 for the third time in history on Thursday, during its 113th Session in Geneva. The article was first employed in 2000 for Myanmar and again in 2023 for Belarus. The resolution urged the organization's constituents-governments, employers, and workers-to take appropriate measures to ensure that their interactions do not enable, facilitate, or prolong violations of workers' rights concerning freedom of association and forced labor with Myanmar military authorities.
The resolution specifically highlighted that any relations contributing to ongoing harm, violence, repression, or intimidation of workers and employers peacefully exercising their fundamental rights should be thoroughly reviewed. This includes support or supply of military equipment, such as jet fuel, or facilitating the free flow of funds to military authorities, with the aim to disable any means that abet or empower these violations.
The ILO further urged relevant bodies to report activities that may directly or indirectly enable or support forced labor, compulsory labor, or violations of freedom of association within Myanmar. Meanwhile, Myanmar's National Unity Government, the government-in-exile, welcomed the resolution on the same day it was invoked. They described the ILO decision as a victory for the Myanmar people, highlighting their resilience against the military's oppressive actions, including violence and targeted attacks on civilians and institutions.