The current activities of the ILO in Myanmar are governed by an Understanding between the Government of the Union of Myanmar and the International Labour Office concerning the appointment of an ILO Liaison Officer in Myanmar (2002) - [pdf 396 KB] reached in 2002. According to this understanding, the Liaison Officer's role covers all activities relevant to ensuring the prompt and effective elimination of forced labour in the country. As part of this mandate, the Liaison Officer, in cooperation with the authorities, endeavored to implement strategies to effectively address the root causes of the forced labour situation in Myanmar as identified in particular by the High-Level Team which visited the country in 2001. This Understanding remains in force. However in February 2007 a further Supplementary Understanding between the Government of the Union of Myanmar and the International Labour Office (2007) - [pdf 396 KB] to advance the objectives of the elimination of the use of forced labour was entered into.
Current position
ILO concluded a Supplementary Understanding with Myanmar on 26th February 2007, which was subject to an Extension Agreement entered into on 26 February 2009. This Supplementary Understanding is designed to provide, as previously requested by the International Labour Conference and the ILO Governing Body, a mechanism to enable victims of forced labour to seek redress.