New Delhi – Threats and strong arm tactics are being brought to bear by the Burmese military junta on people who are being investigated by International Labour Organisation (ILO) officials. Local authorities have told them not to disclose the truth about the complaint lodged on forced use of labour, local residents from Taungdwingyi.
A local resident Ko Bo Tun lodged a complaint to the ILO on forced labour resorted to by the local authorities. ILO official Steven Marshall came to Taungdwingyi on January 31. Before his arrival, the local authorities threatened local residents not to disclose the truth to the investigating ILO official regarding forced labour.
"The government backed USDA members Swanahshin and Township Peace and Development Council (PDC) came to the place in anticipation of the arrival of the ILO investigating official to meet Ko Bo Tun. The local authorities told the ILO official to do his job freely but USDA members and Swanahshin were deployed around the house where the ILO official and Ko Bo Tun met. So he did not dare say anything," a local resident told Mizzima.
Ko Bo Tun and Ko Kyaw Myint sent their complaint on forced labour ordered by the local authorities for building a road connecting Palin and Suu Tet Gyi villages in Myothit Township along with an irrigation canal. Besides they had to contribute money against their will.
"The local authorities then called them to their office and asked who first lodged the complaint. Pressure was put on them indirectly in various ways. The complainants felt cornered and did not dare say anything to the ILO investigating official," a local resident close to Ko Bo Tun said.
Moreover the Township PDC Chairman did not let the complainants show the places mentioned in their complaint to the visiting ILO official and also did not let him meet local residents who had to perform forced labour also, the local resident added.
