ACTU passes resolution on Burma

The following resolution was passed at the ACTU Executive meeting on Wednesday 16 July 2008.

The ACTU acknowledges the ongoing repression and poverty of the people of Burma, as a result of a long history of violation of labour rights, including gross breaches of freedom of association and forced labour as well as the fundamental human rights.

Over the past year, we have witnessed the brutality of the Burmese military regime in its crackdown on peaceful monks and citizens calling for democratic reform during the "Saffron Revolution" in September 2007 and the disregard for human suffering by denying humanitarian assistance to those impacted by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008.

The ACTU congratulates Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA in its fund raising activities following the Saffron Revolution, raising $30,000 and the Cyclone Nargis appeal for assistance of $130,000 and encourages affiliates to expand support for APHEDA's work.

The ACTU supports Australian Government assistance to refugees from Burma in Thailand; encourages the direct delivery of humanitarian assistance across Burma's borders to better reach displaced persons; to address the needs of Burma's migrant workers in neighbouring countries and support the establishment of a democracy fund. We encourage very strict monitoring of the delivery of aid inside Burma, most especially in cyclone relief and reconstruction efforts to ensure that human rights are not further violated and that forced labour is not exacerbated.

The ACTU welcomes the Australian Government's participation in the United Nations led "Friends of Burma" group and encourages the Government to take a leading role in the region, most especially with ASEAN members to achieve concerted international pressure for the realisation of democracy and peace in Burma.

The ACTU acknowledges those affiliates who have been working with the Burma campaigners across Australia and encourage unions to further efforts to support this as a priority campaign.

The ACTU supports the Burma campaign of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and especially endorses the work of the Committee on Workers' Capital in addressing investments in corporations that invest in or trade with Burma to union trustees of superannuation funds.

Moved: Dave Carey (SPSF)
Seconded: Julius Roe (AMWU)

© Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA 2003.
Site proudly produced by Social Change Online

Last Modified: Tuesday, 05-Aug-2008 13:58:52 EST
This page: http://apheda.org.au/news/1217907925_27262.html