Yangon (AsiaNews/Agenzie) - A high-level delegation from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on Wednesday cut short their mission to Myanmar, after failing to meet top generals to assess the junta's commitment to fighting forced labour.
"The mission decided that there would be no point at this stage at having more talks on a technical level," the team said in a statement before leaving the country two days early.
Myanmar authorities cited the ongoing National Convention, convened to draft principles for a new constitution, as the reason that top leaders, including regime number one Senior General Than Shwe, could not meet the delegation as planned, the statement said.
The delegation said they did meet with Prime Minister Lieutenant General Soe Win and the labour minister. The team, headed by former Australian governor-general Sir Ninian Stephen, is to submit its report to the next session of the ILO's governing body in March.
"This visit is very important for Myanmar because the Governing Body will decide whether to lift or increase the sanctions imposed on the country in connection with the practice of forced labour based on the outcome of this visit," a diplomatic source said.
The delegation said it submitted a memo to Burmese Foreign Minister, Nyan Win outlining steps that would show Myanmar's determination to fight forced labor. These included issuing new orders by the defense ministry against forced labor, reconfirming Myanmar's commitment to a plan previously agreed with the ILO, allowing the ILO officer in Yangon free movement, and raising public confidence in legal complaints against forced labor.