On November 6, 2024, the ILO (International Labour Organization) Governing Body approved a decision to take action against Myanmar’s military junta for ongoing violations of workers’ rights. The decision was made during the 352nd session of the Governing Body in Geneva, Switzerland.
This decision directs that a final decision on taking action against the military junta will be made at the next International Labour Conference (113th session), scheduled for June 2025, according to U Maung Maung, Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM).
U Maung Maung explained, “This decision is a directive for the upcoming ILO General Conference in June 2025 to make a decision regarding the military junta’s persistent violations of workers’ rights, including exploitation and abuse, and its continued failure to make reforms in line with Article 33 of the ILO Constitution.”
Workers’ groups have been requesting action against the military junta under Article 33 of the ILO Constitution since the coup in 2021, and U Maung Maung highlighted that the current decision marks the first concrete result from these efforts.
Under Article 33 of the ILO Constitution, there are two potential approaches for taking action against the junta. The first method involves halting technical assistance, humanitarian support, and diplomatic support provided by UN agencies and classifying the junta as a military regime, not a legitimate government. The second approach involves bringing the responsible leaders of the junta to international courts for prosecution.
“This decision is not preliminary—it is a directive from the Governing Body that the ILO’s Director-General will now have to implement,” U Maung Maung explained. “After the adjustments are made, this matter will be settled in 2025.”
In the year 2000, Myanmar was also subjected to action under Article 33, where the military junta was not recognized as a legitimate government but as a violent military regime.
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