The International Labour Organization (ILO) has made a decision to take action against Myanmar’s military council under Article 33 during its 353rd Governing Body meeting, with the final vote on this decision scheduled to take place at the conference on June 25, 2025. The meeting, which was held in Geneva, Switzerland from March 10 to 20, focused on Myanmar-related issues and detailed discussions on the implementation of Article 33 sanctions. The decision represents a significant step in addressing the ongoing violations of labor and human rights in Myanmar.
The sanctions under Article 33 will encompass a wide range of measures targeting activities that violate fundamental democratic rights, including freedom of expression and assembly. The actions will specifically address forced labor, recruitment of child soldiers, use of civilian human shields, forced portering, and other human rights violations. The sanctions will also target businesses and financial flows connected to these violations. Additionally, the measures will include cutting off jet fuel supplies used in aerial attacks and restricting the trade of military equipment. These comprehensive sanctions are designed to effectively restrict the military council’s access to resources and ability to continue its oppressive actions.
The military council has been attempting to evade these sanctions through various means, including submitting false reports and conducting factory visits where they misleadingly claim that the sanctions will only harm civilians and workers. They have also established fake labor unions and created a deceptive tripartite mechanism involving the government, employers, and workers. These actions demonstrate the military council’s serious concern about the sanctions, as they would effectively cut off their financial resources and significantly impact their operations. The military council’s attempts to circumvent these measures highlight the potential effectiveness of the Article 33 sanctions in constraining their ability to maintain control through financial means.
