Invoke ILO's Article 33 to pressure Myanmar junta, says Kuching MP
PETALING JAYA : Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has urged Asean to seriously consider invoking Article 33 of the International Labour Organization's (ILO) constitution to pressure Myanmar's junta, calling it a peaceful but firm step to protect the country's workers.
Speaking at a forum on Myanmar at Universiti Malaya, he said while Asean's five-point consensus (5PC) was a helpful framework, it meant little if one side refused to follow it.
'We cannot ignore the fact that the junta continues to defy it. Agreements are only as effective as the parties willing to uphold them.
'Article 33 must be considered a last-resort, peaceful tool. Not a sanction, but a targeted labour measure to isolate the junta while protecting Myanmar's workers.
'It is not an economic embargo. Myanmar's own trade unions and employers support the resolution, which is significant,' he said at a forum today.
Last used in 2000 against Myanmar due to widespread forced labour, Article 33 allows member states to act together against a country that keeps violating workers' rights and ignores ILO decisions.
The 5PC calls for an immediate end to violence, the delivery of humanitarian assistance, dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy to Myanmar, and the envoy's direct engagement with all stakeholders.
Yii said the ILO resolution would still allow the delivery of humanitarian aid while sending a clear message that the junta's actions were not acceptable.
'This is not about punishing Myanmar, but about protecting its workers from forced labour, modern slavery, and repression,' he said.
Yii added that Asean now had a 'fragile bridge' of dialogue between the junta and Myanmar's National Unity Government, urging Malaysia to help strengthen that engagement.
Malaysia is currently Asean's appointed special envoy to Myanmar and recently helped facilitate talks with both sides, mainly for the delivery of aid after the deadly earthquake in March.
However, Yii said these talks did not mean that Malaysia recognised the junta as Myanmar's legitimate government.
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