Co-organised by the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP), the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), and the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), together with the co-convenors ITUC-AP, GUF Asia Pacific Regional Organisations: IUF, IndustriALL, IDWF, ITF, EI, PSI and UNI; their local partners, the forums drew more than 200 participants, including lawmakers, human rights defenders, trade union leaders, members of the Myanmar diaspora, and representatives of the National Unity Government (NUG).

 

At the heart of the discussions was the ILO Commission of Inquiry’s damning 2023 report, which found Myanmar’s junta in persistent and egregious violation of ILO Conventions 87 and 29, specifically, the repression of trade unions, the use of widespread forced labour, and the criminalisation of worker organising. In March 2025, the ILO Governing Body endorsed the invocation of Article 33, a measure of last resort reserved for the most serious breaches of international labour obligations. The final vote is scheduled to take place on 5 June at the ILC in Geneva.

 

In Quezon City, the CHRP and BWI’s Asia Pacific office brought together Philippine legislators and national trade union centres to build momentum for the resolution. CHRP Chairperson Richard Paat Palpal-latoc reaffirmed the NHRI community’s principled position, citing the suspension of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission by both GANHRI and the Asia Pacific Forum. He underscored CHRP’s constitutional and Paris Principles mandate to support regional human rights mechanisms, advocating for coordinated action to address the junta’s atrocities. The CHRP called for the cessation of illegal airstrikes, unimpeded humanitarian access, and stronger engagement with ASEAN and universal jurisdiction mechanisms.

 

In parallel, the Malaysian forum in Kuala Lumpur opened with a powerful address by SUHAKAM Chairman Dato’ Seri Mohd Hishamudin Md Yunus. Emphasising Malaysia’s dual role as ASEAN Chair and ILO member state, he called on the Malaysian government to publicly endorse the resolution, deliver a strong statement at the ILC, and spearhead a unified ASEAN response. Such leadership, he noted, would not only affirm Malaysia’s commitment to labour rights but also signal its resolve to uphold democracy and regional stability.

Malaysian parliamentarians and civil society leaders echoed this call, stressing that the Myanmar crisis is not confined within borders, it is a regional crisis affecting migration, economic security, and the democratic future of Southeast Asia. “ASEAN must break its silence,” one panellist stated. “We cannot claim neutrality while workers are being killed.”

 

Both forums condemned the junta’s continuing attacks, including airstrikes carried out days after the devastating March 2025 earthquake. The events concluded with the signing of joint statements, petitions, and collective pledges to deliver a united voice at the ILC.

 

With the formal vote on the resolution now confirmed for 5 June, BWI reiterated its urgent call for ASEAN governments to act with conscience and principle, to stand with Myanmar’s workers and vote in favour of invoking Article 33.

“Every delay emboldens the junta. Every voice, every vote, every act of solidarity matters.”