Burma Freedom Act

The Burmese people have long suffered from oppression and exploitation in factories and plantations in their quest for providing for themselves and their families. Their own governmental agencies have promoted or ignored these unfair labor practices, so it became necessary for outside nations and agencies to assist with the problem.

The 107th Congress on June, 19, 2001 introduced a bill that was intended to prohibit the importation of any article that is produced, grown, or manufactured in Burma. It took the name “Burma Freedom Act.” This followed a 2000 resolution that called for concrete action to be taken to end forced labor in Burma. It also asked that countries that trade with Burma take appropriate measures to ensure no forced or compulsory labor is happening and, if such labor exists, said countries cease to deal with Burma. It was required for the President of the United States to determine if Burma had met the conditions to stop all forced and child labor before active importation of Burmese goods was again permitted in the United States.

Conditions of the Act include: The State Peace and Development Council of Burma must make substantial, measurable progress in reversing the pattern of gross violations against internationally enforced human and worker rights, including the cessation of forced, child and compulsory labor practices. The State Peace and Development Council would also be responsible for releasing all political prisoners and for increasing, improving and finding a mutually-acceptable resolution of the talks between its organization and the democratic leadership in Burma. Another condition the agency was held accountable for was assuring full cooperation and assistance with US counter-narcotics operations and related programs within Burmese borders.