The International Labour Organization (ILO) has decided to take action against Myanmar’s military council under Article 33 during its 353rd Governing Body meeting, with the final vote for approval scheduled to take place at the conference on June 25, 2025. The meeting, held in Geneva, Switzerland from March 10 to 20, discussed matters related to Myanmar and established the framework for implementing sanctions. Officials from the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) have confirmed that the governing body has finalized the methods of enforcement.
The sanctions will target violations of fundamental rights including freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and democratic rights of citizens. The measures will address various forms of abuse including forced labor, recruitment of child soldiers, use of human shields, forced portering, and other human rights violations. The action plan includes cutting off jet fuel supplies to prevent aerial attacks, restricting arms trade, and blocking financial flows. These comprehensive measures are designed to effectively pressure the military council by targeting their resources and capabilities while protecting civilian interests.
The military council has been attempting to evade these sanctions through various deceptive practices, including submitting false reports, conducting factory visits to spread misinformation about how sanctions would only harm workers and civilians, establishing fake labor unions, and creating a facade of tripartite dialogue between government, employers, and workers. However, labor leaders assess that these sanctions will be effective as they target the military council’s financial resources, representing a significant blow to their operations. The implementation of Article 33 measures is seen as a crucial step in addressing the ongoing human rights violations and forced labor practices in Myanmar, with the international community taking a firm stance against the military council’s actions.
