June 5, 2025
Today, June 5, 2025, at the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) held in Geneva, Switzerland, the International Labour Organization (ILO) decided to take action under Article 33 against the terrorist military junta due to their violations of fundamental labor rights and human rights, particularly breaches of ILO Convention No. 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize) and Convention No. 29 (Forced Labour).
This decision to impose sanctions on the military junta was driven by the advocacy of the tripartite delegation of the National Unity Government (NUG). U Maung Maung, representing the Myanmar Labour Alliance (MLA/CTUM), delivered an opening speech at the conference, urging action. Additionally, Daw Phyo Sandar Soe, Deputy Representative of the International Trade Union Confederation, a member of the NUG’s tripartite delegation, and a labor representative from MLA/CTUM, emphasized that imposing sanctions under Article 33 is not about revenge but about upholding the dignity, justice, progress, and rebuilding of the lives of the Myanmar people.
The conference was attended by representatives of the NUG’s Ministry of Labour, including government, employer, and worker delegates representing the Myanmar people. This historic decision demonstrates that the global community and the ILO have not ignored the Myanmar people, marking a significant milestone in the Myanmar democracy movement and efforts to restore fundamental rights.
This ILO decision is a victory for the Myanmar people, achieved through years of resilience against the military’s bullets, various forms of oppression, sexual violence against women, and airstrikes targeting civilians and schools. It also exposes the military junta’s terrorist acts to the world.
Government, employer, and worker representatives from ILO member states, along with workers, labor unions, and leaders worldwide, have shown solidarity with the Myanmar people.
When the proposal to take action against the military junta under Article 33 was presented, countries such as Russia, Belarus, Laos, and China, which support the Myanmar military junta and seek to oppress globally, opposed the decision. However, employer and worker representatives, as well as international business delegates attending the conference, overwhelmingly supported it.
This Article 33 victory proves that the military junta and its allies cannot act with impunity despite their weapons. Although the Myanmar people have repeatedly sought international assistance, responses and cooperation have been slow. However, this decision within the ILO’s tripartite mechanism, embraced fully by democratic systems, shows that international governments, employers, and workers stand united with the Myanmar people, unequivocally rejecting the military junta’s oppressive actions.
The tripartite delegation led by the National Unity Government’s Ministry of Labour including oppressed employer and worker representatives whose rights are being violated collaborated in this struggle.
Ministry of Labour
National Unity Government
