Burma

John Bercow
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is her Department’s policy to support discussion on the use of forced labour in Burma at the United Nations Security Council.

Mr. Hoon
It is our policy to support discussion of the situation in Burma, including the use of forced labour in Burma at the UN Security Council. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has been working to eradicate forced labour in Burma for a number of years. At the UN Security Council discussion on 27 November, our Permanent Representative to the United Nations reiterated the UK’s support for this work and called for the Burmese Government to co-operate with the ILO on forced labour.

John Bercow
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the International Labour Organisation on forced labour in Burma.

Mr. Hoon
Our ambassadors in Geneva and Rangoon are in regular contact with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on forced labour in Burma. Through them and UK representation on the ILO Governing Body, we support ILO actions aimed at ensuring that Burma complies with its international obligations on forced labour.