The Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (UMFCCI)
Statement on the Recent Decision Regarding the Imposition of Measures under Article
33 of the International Labour Organization onto Myanmar
13 June 2025
1. The Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) is disheartened to learn that the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) has moved to invoke Article 33 onto Myanmar.
2. The UMFCCI is an apolitical and independent business association representing Myanmar businesses and employers. We are a freely-established association founded in 1919, having worked diligently to support Myanmar businesses and for job creation and livelihoods for the Myanmar people through successive periods. The UMFCCI has nearly 150 memoranda of understanding with international chambers of commerce. business associations, technical organizations, and academic institutes from numerous countries, territories, and regional groupings for economic cooperation and business development.
3. As Myanmar’s largest and oldest employer organization, the UMFCCI is one of the ILO’s tripartite constituents for Myanmar. The UMFCCI maintains close cooperation with the International Labour Organization, including through the ILO’s Yangon Liaison Office and the ILO Bureau for Employer’s Activities (ACT/EMP), as well as he International Organization of Employers (IOE) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in activities supporting Myanmar businesses and employers, advocating for labour rights and responsible business practices, and fostering better industrial relations between employers and employees.
4. During the current Executive Committee’s tenure (2022-2025), the UMFCCI has implemented various projects and initiatives in support of employers, employees and local communities including: awareness raising and developing guidebooks on child labour elimination and forced labour prevention; public-private partnerships supporting public health efforts in local and conflict-affected communities; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts responding to Cyclone Mocha (2023), severe flooding due to Super Typhoon Yagi (2024), and in the aftermath of the recent 28 March 2025 earthquake; and safe migration for migrant workers.
5. Since 2021, the ILO does not extend invitations to any tripartite delegation from Myanmar to attend the ILC or Governing Body meetings. However, based on the November 2024 decision by the 352nd Session of the Governing Body of the ILO, employers and employees from Myanmar can be invited by international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) to attend the ILC solely as invitees of these organizations. The UMFCCI was invited by an INGO (the IOE) to attend the International Labour Conference held in Geneva in June 2025. As such, a UMFCCI representative attended the 113th Session of the ILC solely as the IOE’s invitee representing Myanmar employers.
6. The UMFCCI will steadfastly continue its core mission to support Myanmar businesses and employers, and to cultivate a responsible and sustainable business landscape that creates jobs and supports livelihoods for the Myanmar people. We have always and will continue to cooperate with all like-minded local and international partners towards this.
7. The UMFCCI hereby urges the International Labour Organization, the international community, international businesses, and all stakeholders to:
a. ensure that measures under Article 33 do no harm to employers and employees, and the businesses and livelihoods of the people of Myanmar;
b. continue to work with legitimate and responsible businesses in the country in creating jobs and supporting livelihoods for the people of Myanmar;
c. support stakeholders in Myanmar including employer and employee organizations to improve the country’s adherence to the ILO’s fundamental conventions; and
d. maintain and expand engagement with Myanmar employers and employer organizations working on the ground, such as the UMFCCI, to further enable Myanmar employers in fostering labour rights, improving industrial relations and promoting responsible business practices.
8. The UMFCCI is committed to supporting our members, in close collaboration with local and international stakeholders, to continuously cement the labour rights and enhance the industrial relation in Myanmar, in regard to the recommended measures of the Article 33 Resolution.
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry
UMFCCI
Yangon, Myanmar
