International union group wants act

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Reuters-International union group wants action on Myanmar 
03:06 p.m Aug 19, 1998 Eastern 

BRUSSELS, Aug 20 (Reuters) - An international trades union body called on
Thursday for Myanmar's military rulers to resign following a United Nations
report alleging widespread use of forced labour in the country. 

The International Confederation of Free Trades Unions also urged big
companies to disinvest from the country for as long as the military remains
in power. 

``With the publication of this new International Labour Organisation (ILO)
report, multinationals can no longer claim ignorance of Burma's disastrous
human rights' record,'' the Brussels-based ICFTU said in a statement. 

The ILO, the United Nations labour body, on Wednesday accused the military
government of Myanmar -- formerly known as Burma -- of systematic and
widespread forced labour ``with total disregard for human dignity.'' 

``Forced labour in Myanmar is widely performed by women, children and
elderly persons as well as persons otherwise unfit for work, and is almost
never remunerated or compensated,'' said the ILO. 

``Forced labourers including those sick or injured are frequently beaten or
otherwise physically abused by soldiers, resulting in serious injuries.
Some are killed, and women performing compulsory labour are raped or
sexually abused by soldiers,'' the ILO said. 

The ICFTU said it wanted sanctions against Myanmar to be stepped up if
leaders refused to follow ILO recommendations. 

``The United States, the European Union, Japan and China should realise
there is little to be gained from continuing business as usual with
(Myanmar's) rulers,'' ICFTU General Secretary Bill Jordan said in the
statement.