Labor coalition to PH, Asean: Stop normalizing Myanmar junta

MANILA, Philippines — Labor coalition NAGKAISA urged the Philippine government and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member states to stop normalizing relations with Myanmar’s military junta, citing continued attacks on civilians and violations of workers’ rights.

In a statement, NAGKAISA welcomed the disqualification of Myanmar’s National Human Rights Commission from the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum, announced publicly on Oct. 19.

“The decision underscores that a body cannot claim human rights legitimacy simply by name while failing to meet the standards expected of a national human rights institution,” the labor coalition said.

READ: Labor group urges Asean to reject Myanmar junta-linked groups

The coalition called the situation ironic, pointing to reported military airstrikes in Rakhine State. These included an attack near Kyauktaw market on Sept. 28 that reportedly killed at least 50 people and injured 58. Women and children were among the casualties.

Additional airstrikes on camps for internally displaced people on Oct. 4 and 5 reportedly killed eight more people, NAGKAISA said.

READ: Myanmar marks bitter 5-year anniversary of 2021 coup

The United Nations’ Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar has also documented a broader pattern of aerial attacks on civilian homes, schools, hospitals, religious sites and displacement camps.

Junta’s labor abuses

NAGKAISA also condemned the junta’s repression of trade unions, persecution of labor leaders and reported use of forced labor.

“The junta’s repression of trade unions, persecution of labor leaders, and use of forced labor strike at the heart of the fundamental rights the International Labor Organization (ILO) is mandated to defend,” the group said.

The ILO invoked Article 33 of its Constitution after Myanmar failed to address serious abuses, including forced labor and violations of freedom of association.

NAGKAISA said governments must ensure that their relations with Myanmar’s military authorities do not enable, facilitate or prolong these abuses.

The coalition urged the Philippine government and all Asean member states to halt efforts to normalize relations with the junta and take concrete action in line with the ILO’s Article 33 resolution.

“There can be no business as usual while civilians are bombed, workers are forced to labor, and trade unionists are persecuted,” it said.

NAGKAISA added that Myanmar’s military rulers must not be granted regional legitimacy while violating the rights of their own people and workers, especially as the country’s human rights commission has failed to meet the standards expected of a national human rights institution.

READ: CHR urges stronger Asean action on Myanmar crisis

NAGKAISA ended its statement by calling for accountability, an end to forced labor and the protection of workers’ rights in Myanmar. — Bernadette Nicole Pineda, Chelsy Claire Perez /das