The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) 353rd Governing Body meeting has decided to take action against Myanmar’s military council under Article 33, with the decision to be formally approved through voting at the conference scheduled for June 25, 2025. The meeting, held in Geneva, Switzerland from March 10 to 20, discussed matters related to Myanmar and determined specific measures to be implemented under Article 33. The comprehensive sanctions and actions target various aspects of the military council’s operations and human rights violations.
The measures include sanctions against businesses and activities related to violations of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and other democratic rights. The action plan specifically addresses forced labor, child soldier recruitment, use of human shields, forced portering, and other human rights violations. The sanctions will also target the military’s economic interests, including measures to control jet fuel supplies to prevent aerial attacks, restrictions on arms trade, and control of financial flows. These comprehensive measures are designed to pressure the military council while protecting civilian interests.
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 Article 33 sanctions would only harm the public and workers. They have also established fake labor unions and created a deceptive tripartite mechanism involving government, employers, and workers. The military council is particularly concerned about these sanctions as they desperately need financial resources to maintain their control over the country and sustain their power. Their attempts to circumvent these measures demonstrate their fear of the significant impact these sanctions could have on their ability to maintain control and continue their operations.
