The U.S. Department of Labor issued a warning about the risk of doing business in Burma.
“The Burmese military have relentlessly attacked and arrested union leaders and members," U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh said in a recent press release. "These actions are unacceptable."
The labor department issued a business advisory on Burma in conjunction with the U.S. departments of Treasury, State, Homeland Security and the U.S. Trade Representative.
"Since a February 2021 coup, the Burmese military has reportedly killed more than 1,400 people, unjustly arrested civilian leaders, and committed widespread grave human rights abuses against the Burmese people," the labor department said. "Notably, the military regime has targeted the country’s labor union movement, outlawing 16 labor unions, attacking striking workers, and arresting many union leaders and members."
The business advisory urges businesses and individuals to consider the risks before doing business there and to not to support the military junta, directly or indirectly.
"By making labor exploitation unprofitable to the regime, governments around the world and the business community can stand in opposition to the military’s repression, while keeping goods produced by child and forced labor out of our supply chains,” the Labor Department said.
At least 14 products are made in Burma using child labor, the Labor Department said.
"Evidence also exists that state-owned enterprises in Burma are involved significantly in industries tied to human trafficking, child and forced labor and the targeting of labor unions," the Labor Department said.
