
Issue No 77		10 November 2000

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World Awaits Landmark Slave Labour Decision

The ACTU has called on the Howard Government to support groundbreaking international sanctions against the Burmese Government over its tolerance of slave labour.

ACTU president Sharan Burrow says Australia's position will be an important test of its ongoing commitment to international human rights.

The International Labour Organisation is expected to announce a decision next week on a complaint against Burma, sponsored by the International Council of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).

If supported, the ILO could for the first time invoke punitive powers such as the withdrawal of investment

The Burma case is being viewed as an important test of the international community's ability to enforce core labour standards such as prohibitions of child labour and slave labour.

Small Steps Not Enough

The ICFTU has urged the International Labour Organization (ILO) and international community to take swift punitive actions against the Burmese junta for failing to curb forced labour in Burma.

The ILO gave an ultimatum to the regime in June this year to comply with its recommendations to eliminate forced labour in the country by November 30. The ILO's governing body is at present meeting in Geneva to decide how far Burmese regime has done in complying with the recommendations.

On Tuesday, Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win told AFP that his government had issued a directive on November 1 banning forced labour in the country. "The order has been posted in every police station in the country," said Khin Maung Win.

Burmese activists, however, say that the government's directive lacks the necessary specifics and it will not have any immediate effect on the widespread forced labour, which is being carried out by the military officers in the village and township levels, particularly in the border areas of the country.

   See more on the Burma campaign at ICFTU

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  Issue 77 contents

US Election: Democracy Version 1.0: Time for an Upgrade America
This week the world's greatest democracy is looking pretty rickety. Michael Gadiel reports from the front line.

Interview: Crikey! A Corporate Commando
He may be a lapsed Lib, but Stephen Mayne is making life hell in the boardrooms of corporate Australia. And he might have some clues for unions too.

Unions: Class of 2000 Hit Redfern
They're just out of acting school and straight into the union. Tomorrow's stars and today's union members.

International: US Cleaners Fast for Justice
Talks between striking janitors and the cleaning contractors who employ them resumed on Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut.

History: Racing Radio
The Cup is over, but the races go on, and so does Labor council's radio station, 2KY, as it celebrates its 75th Anniversary.

Legal: A Pandora's In-Box
Screening of employee's emails could be in breach of telecommunications laws, according to Minter Ellison lawyer Megan Dixon.

Satire: Our Snobs Are Tops
Tony Moore on why the lucky country has always been a tosser�s paradise.

Review: Brassed Off With a Tutu
Billy Elliott, currently a hit at the box office, gives a new twist to the working class rags to riches story.

» Games Workers Still Waiting on Closing Ceremony

» Showdown: Howard Faces Court Over Rail Sell-Off

» World Awaits Landmark Slave Labour Decision

» American Voters Reject Vouchers

» Illawarra Fights The Big Bastard

» Retailers Rethink FairWear Retreat

» Killer Holidays: Activist Fired for Taking Vacation

» ANZ Faces Contracts Challenge

» Cup Workers Score Heady Brew

» Meals on Wheels Turns Mean

» Wild Horses Get Maurie's Goat

» Labor Council backs Souths Rally

» Sisters Celebrate Four Years

» Reith to Face the Music

» The Soapbox

» Sport

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» Nader no Fels

» Sartor's Veladrome

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