Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Ratifying ILO convention should be child’s play
• Bullet Points
• Irrawaddy journalists hold mass prayer for reporters facing legal action
• NLD officials, 88GPOS member on trial for using a loudspeaker in Magwe
• Brides-to-China trafficking ring uncovered in Shan State
• British Chamber of Commerce launched in Rangoon
• More farmers jailed for Sagaing land protests
• Rangoon factory workers in compensation dispute with S Korean sportswear firm

Ratifying ILO convention should be child’s play Posted: 18 Jul 2014 04:45 AM PDT An International Labour Organization (ILO) convention prohibiting the worst forms of child labour will come into effect in Burma in December. Though the Burmese government became a party to the Convention No 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour last year, its stipulations have not yet come into effect. The agreement requires that states parties define, identify and eradicate the worst forms of abuse. Burma took a step towards this goal on Wednesday, as the bicameral parliament passed the convention into law. The worst forms of child labour, according to the ILO, are slavery, bondage, forced recruitment for use in armed conflicts, sexual exploitation and trafficking. Child labour is common in Burma and, until now, the government has done little to stop it. The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has now vowed to implement the convention in full. "The ILO Convention No 182, concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour will come into effect in Burma starting from 18 December, 2014 – one year after Burma became a signatory," the ministry's chief Aye Myint told parliament on Wednesday. The ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party believes that implementing the convention will help to encourage the United States, the European Union and others to dismiss their remaining sanctions on Burma. The Burmese armed forces and Ministry of Defence-owned entities were not covered in the recent American lifting of sanctions. The Burmese army has long been accused of abusing children as forced labourers and fighting conscripts. Related Stories Bullet Points Burmese union leader elected to ILO's governing body DVB Debate: Ending slavery in Burma "The government is supportive of the move, which is why they made the proposal to the parliament today," said USDP Secretary General Htay Oo, who is also a member of the parliamentary Committee for Citizens' Fundamental Rights, Democracy and Human Rights. "The whole Union Parliament agreed that this is a sensible thing to do," he added. Because Burma has now ratified the convention, they must take immediate action to abolish child labour, and enforce laws so that those who break them are punished. The government also pledged to rehabilitate children who have suffered labour abuses by providing free education and support services. To date, 179 countries have ratified the ILO's convention.

Bullet Points Posted: 18 Jul 2014 04:25 AM PDT On today’s edition of Bullet Points: The Ministry of Labour is filing a lawsuit against bankrupt Korean shoe manufacturers Master Sports. Burma vows to implement the International Labour Organization's convention on the worst forms of child labour. Police in Lashio, Shan State have arrested parents from two separate families thought to have sold their daughters to be brides in China. Security tightens around the Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Rangoon ahead of Martyrs’ Day on Saturday.   Watch Bullet Points on DVB TV after the 7 o’clock news.    Related Stories Ratifying ILO convention should be child's play Brides-to-China trafficking ring uncovered in Shan State Rangoon factory workers in compensation dispute with S Korean sportswear firm

Irrawaddy journalists hold mass prayer for reporters facing legal action Posted: 18 Jul 2014 04:21 AM PDT Twenty-one media workers in Irrawaddy Division staged a mass prayer in the capital Bassein [Pathein] as a symbolic protest to call for the recent sentences and charges against journalists to be dropped by the government. Myo Min Paing, a Bassein-based news correspondent, said that journalists from Irrawaddy's towns of Bassein, Myaungmya, Kyonpyaw, Myanaung and Henzada gathered at Shwemudaw Pagoda in the capital to pray for the five Unity Weekly news journal staff who were recently sentenced to ten years in prison with hard labour for reporting on an alleged chemical weapons factory in Magwe Division. They also prayed for the staff of Bi-Mon Te Nay Weekly (literally, Bi-Noon Day Sun), who were recently charged with causing public alarm under the 1950 Emergency Provisions Act after they falsely reported that opposition National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic group leaders will be installed in an interim government, he said. "We prayed for an end of media oppression and the immediate release of jailed reporters, and then we released a statement addressing President Thein Sein's government," Myo Min Paing said. The four-point statement highlighted the media's role to ensure that the judicial, executive and legislative branches are functioning well; criticised the sentencing of the Unity Weekly journalists as being "extremely harsh" and accused the government of stymying press freedom with its charges against the Bi-Mon Te Nay staff. Related Stories Reporters hold silent protest in Prome for Unity Weekly verdict 200 protest hospital corruption in Myaungmya Govt aims to muzzle press before 2015 elections, says Press Council

NLD officials, 88GPOS member on trial for using a loudspeaker in Magwe Posted: 18 Jul 2014 03:35 AM PDT Two local officials for the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) and a member of 88 Generation Peace and Open Society (88GPOS) stood trial on Thursday in Magwe Division for using a loudspeaker during a rally without first obtaining permission from the local authorities. On 9 June, the NLD and 88GPOS led a rally in Magwe Division's capital in an effort to raise support for the amendment of Article 436. NLD's Magwe town chairman Soe Moe, secretary Nay Myo Kyaw and Maung Maung Soe of 88GPOS subsequently found themselves charged under a local administrative law that prohibits unauthorised amplification. Soe Moe told DVB that the statement from the prosecutor, Htwe Ko – the deputy superintendent police major in Magwe – differed from the account provided in previous hearings. "During the hearing, I asked the prosecutor to repeat the date that he filed the lawsuit. His answer was different from the last time around, which shows that he doesn't know many details about my alleged involvement in the case," Soe Moe said. He added that the officer then admitted that this case originated because another person had informed him about this situation. "I asked him if the lawsuit was prompted by a public compliant and he said that was not the case. So basically, there is no one complaining to prompt this lawsuit, and I can only assume that there has been pressure from above," Soe Moe said. Related Stories Reporters hold silent protest in Prome for Unity Weekly verdict Journalists sentenced to 10 years for revealing ‘state secrets’ Suu Kyi advises NLD youth members to be true to the party If found guilty, the trio could face up to seven days in prison. Nay Myo Kyaw, the NLD's Magwe division secretary, is also facing legal action from Magwe Division's Religious Affairs department for organising the 9 June rally on a plot of land that the department apparently owns. In recent months, the NLD has taken on the amendment of constitutional Article 436 – which gives veto power to the Burmese military on any amendment proposed – as a cornerstone of their political platform, traveling from state to state to garner support from the population.

Brides-to-China trafficking ring uncovered in Shan State Posted: 18 Jul 2014 12:49 AM PDT Two separate parents, apparently persuaded by human traffickers to sell their daughters as brides in China, were arrested and are currently being questioned by police in Lashio, northern Shan State. Representing the Central Body for the Suppression of Trafficking in Persons unit responsible for the arrests, Lashio police officer Chit Htoo identified a man and a woman, ethnicity unknown, who sold their daughters to a woman in the Sino-Burmese border town of Namhkam to be smuggled into China to marry Chinese men. He said that the anti-trafficking unit had arrested Aye Nyunt, mother of Ae Kham Sa, from Mongpwe village, and Aik Law, father of Aye Sein, from Kholek village, who had sold their daughters – for the sums of 2.7 million kyat (US$2,700) and 3.5 million kyat ($3,500) respectively – via human traffickers Nang Kyi Oo and her aunt, name unknown, who live in Namhkam. The traffickers are said to have sold them onward to Chinese men for the purposes of marriage. Related Stories Bullet Points Thein Sein gets red carpet treatment in Beijing ASEAN must cooperate to curb Rohingya trafficking crisis The official said the parents confessed to Lashio police that they had been persuaded by Nang Kyi Oo and her aunt, who had told them their daughters would be married to rich men in China and would enjoy a good life. "They [the parents] said they did not realise what they were doing was illegal under the human trafficking law," said the police supervisor. "The parents confessed to sending their daughters to China for the money. They are simple and poor people, and were convinced that they were doing the right thing for the girls," said Chit Htoo, adding that the two alleged traffickers are still on the loose. He said that the girls in question were still in China and that his office was in contact with Chinese authorities to have them returned to their home villages at the earliest possible date. According to statistics by the Central Body for the Suppression of Trafficking in Persons, 42 of 69 human trafficking cases reported between January and September 2013 involved young brides for sale in China. Meanwhile, Chinese and Burmese government officials are holding their annual meeting on Combatting Human Trafficking in Huang Shan in Anhui Province, China.

British Chamber of Commerce launched in Rangoon Posted: 17 Jul 2014 11:56 PM PDT The British Chamber of Commerce launched on Tuesday in Rangoon, paving the way for UK businesses to foster and promote investments in Burma. According to the British Chambers of Commerce website, UK exports to Burma increased from US$17 million in 2012 to almost $60 million in 2013. The British government anticipates that exports to the country will increase to $1.35 trillion by 2020 – a benchmark that the newly launched British Chamber of Commerce will assist by identifying market opportunities for potential investors. "I believe British businesses can play a central role in supporting the economic growth in this country, creating jobs and raising skill levels," said Andrew Patrick, British Ambassador to Burma, according to a press release from the British Embassy. Antony Picon, president of the British Chamber of Commerce, pledged that this new body will steer UK businesses "towards sustained economic and social development". Stephanie Ashmore, executive director of the British Chamber of Commerce, reiterated this goal, adding that the body will be "valuable" to investors as the Burmese market can make it "particularly difficult to access reliable information". She added that the British Chamber of Commerce is hoping to work with the Centre for Responsible Business, a project set up to encourage ethical business practices. "We're keen to work with that organisation to make sure our members get the most relevant and up to date advice," Ashmore said. "Also, to hopefully build a case study so we can look to a high-profile company who is doing ethical business very well and we can share some of those lessons with other companies who are looking to invest or start working in Myanmar [Burma]." Related Stories UK parliamentarians discuss Rohingya crisis in Burma Former British PM accused of secret 'advisory role' in Burma Swire speech moved from Rangoon University campus

More farmers jailed for Sagaing land protests Posted: 17 Jul 2014 11:46 PM PDT Eighteen farmers in Kanbalu, Sagaing Division, have been sentenced to jail terms of up to three and half years for ploughing seized lands, a newly popular form of protest in Burma. More than 300 farmers in Kanbalu faced various charges for working land in Ngapyawtine village last March. The farmers say the land was confiscated by the Burmese military in the 1990s. According to Ko Gyi, a member of a network that liaises between farmers and the International Labour Organisation, 18 of those charged have now received jail terms. "The court handed out three-month terms to each – one of the defendants was facing 12 different charges and was sentenced to three and half years in total," said Ko Gyi. Many others still await a verdict, and more than 20 different types of charges have been brought against them, he said. Some of the protestors are being sued by tenant farmers that were hired by the army to work the confiscated lands, which are now used to produce sugar cane. Related Stories Tavoy farmers jailed for 'disturbing' officials Bullet Points Three farmers sentenced to three years for plough protest in Sagaing Khin Htay Myint, a farmer from Myemon village in Kanbalu, said that nine villagers — including herself — have been summoned for police questioning. "We were summoned by Myemon police, but they refused to say why and said they will tell us when we get to the police station. We have not gone in yet," said Khin Htay Myint. Villagers say the disputed land was confiscated by the military in the 1990s, and that it is managed by the 13th and 16th Light Infantry Battalions, which operate under the Burma Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion. On Monday, the first sentences were handed down in the case; three farmers received three-year sentences for charges including trespassing and vandalism. The transition to a nominally civilian government in 2011, which ushered in a new nationwide land policy and marginally greater freedoms of expression, opened the floodgates for complaints about land seizures that occurred under the previous military regime. Plough protests have become extremely popular among farmers whose lands were lost, though the past two years have shown the government's limited tolerance for unauthorised occupation of land.

Rangoon factory workers in compensation dispute with S Korean sportswear firm Posted: 17 Jul 2014 08:43 PM PDT Former employees of the South Korean-owned Master Sports footwear factory, which abruptly closed down last month, staged a protest outside the Republic of Korea embassy in Rangoon on Thursday demanding compensation. Based in Hlaing Tharyar industrial zone in western Rangoon, the sportswear factory, allegedly without prior notice, announced its closure on 26 June, leaving 755 employees jobless, though staff said the management promised to pay them compensation. However, after the firm folded without paying its staff, Burma's Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Welfare stepped in on 10 July by writing a letter to the South Korean embassy which, in turn, mediated a solution whereby the company agreed to pay the employees their June salaries. However, only 56 of the workers agreed to accept the one-month salary payment; the rest demanded additional compensation. Related Stories Bullet Points Thilawa villagers remain in the dark as impact assessment is pledged Chinese firm claims Hpa-an locals support cement factory project On 17 July, the factory workers held a march from the industrial zone at Hlaing Tharyar across five townships to the South Korean embassy – with official permission from the police – to demand full compensation. "We want our June salaries and a severance package as per the law," said protest leader Tun Naing, adding that the workers additionally wanted to highlight the regular abuse of labour rights by South Korean investors in the country. "When investing in our country, foreign companies have to conform to local regulations," he said. "But what the company did was completely negligent. "The company did not inform us about the closure in advance, they just shut it down, and they did not pay staff salaries for the month of June," he added. "They were aware of their obligation to pay compensation but ignored the law." The South Korean embassy in Rangoon was unavailable for comment.

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