Introduction

Pursuant to the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations

Act, 1999 § 564, Pub. L. 105-277, 112 Stat 2681, 2681-193, Congress directed the Secretary of Labor to provide to the Committees on Appropriations a report addressing labor practices in Burma. House Conference Report No. 105-825 requests that the Secretary of Labor "provide comprehensive details on child labor practices, worker's rights, forced relocation of laborers, forced labor performed to support the tourism industry, and forced labor performed in conjunction with, and in support of, the Yadonna gas pipeline." In addition, the Committees asked that the report address whether the Government of Burma is in compliance with international labor standards and provide details regarding the U.S. Government's efforts to address and correct practices of forced labor in Burma.

This report updates the findings of Report on Labor Practices in Burma (hereinafter "the Department's 1998 Report"), which was submitted by the U.S. Department of Labor (hereinafter "the Department") in September 1998, pursuant to the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriation Act of 1998 § 568, Pub. L. No. 105-118, 111 Stat 2429. The findings of this update are based on reports and information gathered from the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and other international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in Burma, trade unions, the media, and other secondary sources. The Department also published a notice in the Federal Register on

July 21, 1999 (located in Appendix I) requesting submissions from the public on labor practices in Burma.

The update begins with a summary of the Department's 1998 Report on Labor Practices in Burma. This summary provides background information on political and economic conditions in Burma and the original findings of the Department with regard to the abuse of worker's rights in that country, specifically in the areas of forced labor, forced relocations, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, and child labor.

The update then continues with three sections providing a description of developments that have occurred since the September 1998 release of the initial report and the Department's conclusions regarding any changes that may have occurred in the following areas:

• Forced labor (particularly forced labor on projects related to development of the tourism industry and the Yadana pipeline) and forced relocations in Burma.
• Worker's rights in Burma (specifically freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively).
• Child labor in Burma.

A fourth section deals with U.S. policy with respect to Burma. It summarizes the efforts of the U.S. Government to encourage the transition to a democratic government in Burma. This section also details U.S. Government efforts designed to document and hold accountable the regime in Burma for the abuse and denial of human rights and, in particular, worker's rights.