"A UN body tasked with pushing for workers? rights and an end to forced labour in Burma has been granted access to conflict zones in the country?s border regions that for years have been largely off-limits to international monitoring groups. The agreement means the International Labour Organization (ILO) becomes one of the first overseas bodies to begin sustained operations in the volatile areas where Burma?s government has been battling ethnic armies. To the surprise of many observers, the defence ministry, widely depicted as hostile to the nascent reform programme in Burma, has also endorsed the move, which comes amid a push by Naypyidaw to persuade rebels groups to sign ceasefires. Steve Marshall, head of the ILO office in Rangoon, says the ministry?s signature on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed in March is ?very positive and very telling?, particularly given that the ILO will be directly addressing abuses carried out by the army. He adds that not only will the defence ministry give the green light for the ILO?s work in conflict zones, but that it ?has agreed to be an active partner? in the application of plans laid down by the group..."