The International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland has decided to impose sanctions on Myanmar’s military council under ILO Article 33, according to U Wai Shu Thwin, Secretary General of the Myanmar Employer Federation (MEF). The decision comes in response to the military council’s forced conscription of youth and workers under military service law, as well as violations of labor rights and human rights. The 113th session of the ILC made this significant decision to take punitive measures against the regime.
The sanctions will primarily target the military council’s main revenue streams, including the oil and natural gas sector, aviation fuel, and financial sectors. Currently, a tripartite working group consisting of employer, worker, and government representatives is negotiating the details of the sanctions. Learning from the previous Article 33 sanctions in 2000, which were less effective due to lack of detailed implementation procedures, efforts are being made to ensure more effective measures this time. The working group is conducting research and gathering data to determine specific actions, with implementation expected within a month.
The sanctions under consideration include blocking resource extraction operations to prevent money flow to the military council and potentially restricting international financial transactions through SWIFT Code. However, the National Unity Government (NUG) is carefully considering measures that would minimize impact on civilians. For instance, fuel sanctions could affect public transportation systems, while banking restrictions could create difficulties for civilian money transfers. These potential consequences are being carefully weighed in the decision-making process. Some argue that the civilian population is already suffering significantly and that comprehensive sanctions are necessary, while others advocate for more targeted measures.
This marks the second time Myanmar has faced ILO Article 33 sanctions, with the first instance occurring in 2000 during Senior General Than Shwe’s military dictatorship. The previous sanctions were imposed due to severe forced labor practices. The current sanctions are in response to the military council’s human rights violations and forced military conscription. The international community is working to ensure these new sanctions will be more effective in pressuring the military council while minimizing impact on civilians. The implementation details are expected to be finalized through continued negotiations and consultations with international partners.
