The Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM) strongly reaffirms that it is not a participant in the farce National Complaints Mechanism (NCM) for forced labour announced by the Myanmar military junta on the 21st of August 2024. The CTUM, alongside other legitimate trade unions, withdrew from all forms of engagement with the military junta following the military coup in 2021 due to denial to Freedom of Association essential for an independent National Tripartite Dialogue Mechanism.

The military junta is the primary perpetrator of forced labour in Myanmar. The mechanism set up by the perpetrators themselves is just a charade created out of necessity to possibly prevent Article 33 of the ILO Constitution being applied by the ILO. It is inconceivable that the very entity responsible for these grave abuses can be entrusted to administer a mechanism that purports to address forced labour complaints.

CTUM will only apply the independent complaints mechanism established directly by the ILO.

Moreover, the CTUM is gravely concerned that participating in or submitting complaints to a mechanism run by the military junta will expose individuals to serious security risks. Those who submit complaints (against the violation of the SAC’s troops, administrators, and followers) will face retaliation or further abuse at the hands of the very perpetrators of forced labour.

The CTUM, together with its allies continues to vigorously monitor the military junta’s compliance with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (COI). Both from 1998 as well as 2023. We remain committed to ensuring that these recommendations are implemented fully and effectively, holding the military accountable for any failures to do so.

CTUM points out to the ILO and the ILO Myanmar Liaison Office that the responsible officers of the military junta are the same ones who have not fulfilled the recommendations of the 1998 Commission of Inquiry report on Workers’ Rights violations. The ILO or the Yangon ILO Liaison Office to acknowledge or work with the made-up NCM would be supporting the mockery of the ILO by the military regime.

CTUM advises advocates of the military junta to study the documented work of the Myanmar trade unions, the Human Rights organizations of Myanmar, the international community, the constituents of the ILO and the ILO itself on the work done over twenty years to get the previous military junta stop its atrocities on its people before endorsing this NCM.

CTUM calls on all workers, employers, and members of the international community to reject this NCM, as structured by the military junta, as it is not a legitimate avenue and credible means of addressing forced labour in Myanmar. We will continue to work independently, alongside our international allies, to combat forced labour and advocate for the rights and safety of all workers in Myanmar.

The CTUM remains committed to ensuring that any mechanisms addressing forced labour are conducted with full transparency, impartiality, with accountability, and the genuine involvement of independent social partners. Any mechanism under a military junta and martial law with a gagged UMFCCI is inherently flawed and will not deliver justice or protect workers’ rights.

CTUM will not endorse or engage with processes that fail to meet these essential standards.

CTUM urges ILO and the international community not to recognize the military Junta’s National Complaints Mechanism (NCM) for forced labour as it will not deliver justice or protect workers’ rights ans is a mockery to the ILO and its constituents by the primary perpetrator of forced labour in Myanmar.

Contact:

Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar – CTUM
Email : [email protected]

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