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IndustriALL demands ILO cut funding to Myanmar junta over labour abuse

At the International Labour Conference (ILC) on 6 June, IndustriALL Global Union called for increased sanctions on Myanmar’s ruling military regime, seeking an end to preferential trade agreements and diplomatic engagement with the junta.

The demands were made as the International Labour Conference (ILC) Committee on the Application of Standards held a dedicated session focused on Myanmar, addressing ongoing violations under ILO Convention No. 87, concerning freedom of association, and Convention No. 29, on forced labour.

These discussions followed the ILO’s activation of Article 33, its highest form of sanction, in 2025 in response to repeated breaches.

In Myanmar, approximately 450,000 garment workers earn less than $100 per month, equating to around half the amount required for basic subsistence.

IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie, who addressed the session, also underlined the situation of garment factories operating under martial law, where workers face military checkpoints, searches of their mobile phones, harassment, obligations to work unpaid overtime, and the threat of conscription, with factories reportedly sharing personal data with authorities.

Høie also warned against the recognition of military-backed entities that claim to represent the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM), stating these organisations do not legitimately represent local workers.

“IndustriALL wants to see an end to preferential trade access, including under the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences and Everything but Arms scheme. We are calling on garment brands to commit to a responsible exit from Myanmar,” said Høie.

Myanmar's garment industry plays an important role in generating foreign currency for the ruling authorities, bolstered by national legislation mandating conversion of foreign exchange at a state-set rate within 24 hours.

The country also benefits from favourable access to the European Union market through schemes such as the Generalised System of Preferences and Everything but Arms, with the EU accounting for 54% of Myanmar’s apparel exports. The Union also continues to back MADE in Myanmar, a programme supporting the nation’s manufacturing sector, despite opposition from local trade unions.

This article first appeared on the IndustriALL website.