Regional labour chiefs meet in Thai

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Subject: Regional labour chiefs meet in Thailand





Regional labour chiefs meet in Thailand
posted at 13:30 hrs (Bangkok time) 

BANGKOK, Feb 9 -- Representatives from 25 Asia-Pacific countries met in
Thailand Tuesday to examine ways to improve the plight of workers around the
economically troubled region, the International Labour Organisation (ILO)
said.


The ILO said the three-day symposium would hear experts discuss the
implications of the Declaration on Fundamental Rights and Principles at Work
adopted last year. 

The declaration says ILO membership carries an obligation to respect and
promote ILO conventions on issues such as forced labour and ''fundamental
rights'' regardless of whether a country has ratified them. 

A symposium organiser said a representative from Myanmar, junta senior level
officer Than Hla, would submit a paper but would not speak. 
Myanmar is widely condemned for abuses of human rights including
allegations of
forced labour, particularly the use of ethnic minority villagers as porters
for
the military. 

The junta denies the allegations. 

The ILO said Monday the regional economic crisis had provided an
opportunity to
improve labour conditions around the region. 
''The financial crisis has brought social justice to the top of national
agendas,'' a statement said. 

''Far from putting developing and newly industrialised countries at a
disadvantage, international labour standards can make them more competitive.''
(AFP)