UN, Myanmar agree deal on forced labour probes

GENEVA, Feb 26 (Reuters) The International Labour Organisation (ILO) today said it had reached agreement with Myanmar to investigate suspected cases of forced labour, which it says is rife in the military-ruled southeast Asian state.

The accord, which meets a key demand of the United Nations agency, allows the ILO's liaison officer in Yangon to make preliminary probes of alleged cases and guarantees whistle-blowers will not face punishment.

''This agreement covers only one aspect of the whole problem of forced labour,'' said Kari Tapiola, ILO executive director.

''This agreement is about ways in which citizens of Myanmar can complain about being subject to forced labour and seek redress with the help of the ILO.'' The ILO accuses Myanmar, the former Burma, of making ''unprecedented'' use of forced labour and says the state not only tolerates it but is involved.

The ILO has been demanding since 2000 that Myanmar, one of its 178 member states, stamp out the practice, which is banned under the organisation's conventions.

Although forced labour is officially outlawed in Myanmar, critics of the army that has ruled there under various guises since 1962 say it remains widespread, particularly in areas where the armed forces are fighting ethnic rebels.

The ILO's annual conference demanded last July the military junta agree to the establishment of a credible mechanism for dealing with forced labour complaints.

After foot-dragging by Yangon, the ILO announced in November it would pass its dossiers on forced labour to the International Criminal Court to try to prosecute junta members for crimes against humanity.

But Myanmar is not a signatory to the treaty setting up the court, so prosecution would be difficult.

Today's memorandum of understanding, which will run for a trial 12-month period, should allow the ILO's liaison officer in Yangon to monitor forced labour more effectively, impossible when people risked jail for making complaints, officials said.

The ILO says all those arrested on charges of ''spreading false information'' have been released.

The ILO representative will be free to travel within Myanmar for the probes. But it will be up to Myanmar to carry out formal investigations in cases identified by the official.

Reuters SBA RN0123