"For over 40 years, the ILO has criticized the lack of freedom of association and collective bargaining in Burma. The United Nations, international trade unions, and other organizations have also continued to note failure on the part of the GOB to grant the people of Burma basic worker?s rights. These failures include the continued non-recognition of independent trade unions by the Government (there are no independent trade unions operating openly in Burma), lack of legal status and protection for worker organizations, lack of collective bargaining mechanisms, and harassment and imprisonment of individuals suspected of worker?s rights activities by government and military authorities..."