GENEVA (ILO News) - The Director-General of the International Labour Office (ILO) today called on the government of Myanmar to take "immediate measures" to release Aung San Suu Kyi and those of her supporters who have reportedly been detained by the authorities in that country recently.
Speaking to some 2,700 delegates attending the annual ILO International Labour Conference, Mr. Somavia urged the authorities in Myanmar to guarantee the freedom of Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters as well as to continue efforts in collaboration with the ILO to end forced labour in the country.
Mr. Somavia said the ILO's Committee on the Application of Standards, which held a special sitting on Saturday to examine developments concerning the question of the observance by the Government of Myanmar of the Forced Labour convention, 1930 (No. 29), had "deplored the situation" in Myanmar.
"I call on the Government of Myanmar to take immediate measures to release her and other leaders and to guarantee their freedom", Mr. Somavia said of Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters. "We need the appropriate conditions to credibly proceed with real action to end forced labour and take other steps to benefit the workers of the country."
"I am convinced I reflect the opinions of many in this room", he said to applause from the delegates.
Mr. Somavia said the recent detention of Aung San Suu Kyi "has created a climate of uncertainty and intimidation" in the country.
The ILO and the Union of Myanmar recently agreed to establish the position of a facilitator to assist possible victims of forced labour seeking remedies available under current legislation and as provided under the ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29). This is part of a Plan of Action against forced labour which also includes a road building project, alternatives to the use of forced labour, and information and awareness raising.
The International Labour Conference is the annual gathering of the ILO's workers, employers and governments.