Aan de Voorzitter van de Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal Binnenhof 1a 2513 AA s-gravenhage IZ/IA/2005/93117

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1 Ministerie van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid Directie Internationale Zaken Aan de Voorzitter van de Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal Binnenhof 1a 2513 AA s-gravenhage Postbus LV Den Haag Anna van Hannoverstraat 4 Telefoon (070) Telefax (070) Uw brief Onderwerp Nederlandse rapportage aan de IAO inzake Birma Ons kenmerk IZ/IA/2005/93117 Datum 30 november 2005 Tijdens de 93ste Zitting van de Internationale Arbeidsconferentie (IAC) in juni 2005 heeft de Internationale Arbeidsorganisatie (IAO) haar leden opgeroepen om de relaties met Birma en in het bijzonder de handels- en investeringsrelaties te herzien, conform de resolutie inzake Birma uit Volgens de IAO is er in Birma nog steeds sprake van stelselmatig en wijdverspreid gebruik van gedwongen arbeid door het militaire regime. De Directeur-Generaal van de ILO, Juan Somavia, heeft alle overheden, werkgevers- en werknemersorganisaties opgeroepen om tijdens de novembersessie van de Raad van Beheer van de ILO in 2005 te rapporteren over de voortgang. Naar aanleiding van de oproep van de heer Somavia heeft het Ministerie van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid in samenwerking met het Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken en het Ministerie van Economische Zaken een expertbijeenkomst gehouden op 3 november jl. De bijeenkomst had een besloten karakter wat bijdroeg aan een levendig debat. Het doel van de expertbijeenkomst was een brede informatie uitwisseling met het streven de huidige stand van zaken met betrekking tot Nederlandse relaties met Birma van zoveel mogelijk kanten te belichten. Tijdens de bijeenkomst is het Nederlandse ontmoedigingsbeleid verder toegelicht en kracht bijgezet. Hierbij stuur ik u mede namens de Minister van Buitenlandse Zaken, de Minister van Economische Zaken en de Staatssecretaris van Economische Zaken de rapportage van Nederland aan de IAO. Indien u nog aanvullingen heeft zullen die separaat aan de IAO worden toegezonden. De Minister van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid,

2 (mr. A.J. de Geus) 2

3 3 Dutch response to the request by the Director-General of the ILO of 15 July 2005 to review our relations with Burma/Myanmar and to provide all relevant information on policy and activities Dutch policy With respect to Burma/Myanmar, the Netherlands pursues a policy of discouraging economic activities in or with Burma/Myanmar. This policy is the result of the June 2000 resolution of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) condemning widespread use of forced labour by Burma/Myanmars s ruling military junta and recommending the review of our relations with Burma/Myanmar and to take appropriate measures. Dutch policy to discourage economic activities in or with Burma/Myanmar comprises the following elements: 1. denying trade and investment instruments to Burma/Myanmar; 2. informing businesses and individuals about the situation in Burma/Myanmar (for example, through the websites of the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Foreign Affairs); 3. engaging in direct dialogue with businesses or individuals who are either conducting economic activities in Burma/Myanmar or considering doing so, in order to discourage such activities (for example, tourism); 4. urging businesses to keep to the principles of corporate social responsibility, in accordance with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; 5. becoming involved in third-party initiatives that seek to continue the dialogue between the central government, business and industry, and civil society organisations (e.g. by helping to organise conferences). The Dutch policy covers not only trade and investment, but also extends to the service sector, including tourism. Expert meeting on Dutch relations with Burma/Myanmar (esp. trade and investment relations)

4 4 In response to the appeal from the ILO, the Ministry of Social Affairs, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held an expert meeting on Dutch relations with Burma/Myanmar (with an emphasis on trade and investment relations) on 3 November Representatives of companies from various sectors (timber industry, travel organisations, oil and gas sector), the government, NGOs, parliament, trade unions and others were present. It was the first time that a discussion of this scope took place in the Netherlands. The purpose of the expert meeting was to facilitate debate and the exchange of information on Dutch- Burmese relations, particularly as regards trade and investment. The Minister of Social Affairs and Employment emphasised that established Dutch policy was to discourage economic activity in or with Burma/Myanmar. The meeting, which was closed, produced a lively debate between the various stakeholders (including a number of representatives of the Burmese diaspora). This debate provided valuable ideas and further actions of all parties involved. The government will see to its follow-up under the Burma policy. Other Dutch activities 1. The Netherlands supports the Fund for HIV/AIDS in Myanmar (FHAM). This year's donations totalled 1 million. Depending on how the new FHAM programme is organised, the Netherlands may be willing to donate the same amount for the next three years. FHAM is actually the first humanitarian aid project in Burma/Myanmar itself. By supporting it, the Netherlands is helping to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). 2. Within the ILO the Netherlands has repeatedly called for full compliance by Burma/Myanmar and other members of the ILO of the eight fundamental labour standards as well as the Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its follow-up mechanism.

5 5 3. Within the EU, the OECD and the ILO, the Netherlands has stressed the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Promoting OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises and advocating the importance of non-trade concerns in the OECD Trade Committee are important components of Dutch CSR policy. The Netherlands have set up a National Contact Point for the Implementation of the OECD guidelines, undertaking promotional activities, handling inquiries and for the discussion with the parties concerned on all matters covered by the Guidelines so that they can contribute to the solution of problems which may arise in this context. One company decided to refrain from new activities in Burma/Myanmar as a result of inquiries and mediation with all parties concerned within the National Contact Point. Another inquiry has led to an appeal to travel organisations by the Minister for Foreign Trade to reconsider organising tours to Burma/Myanmar and to at least avoid the use of state-owned facilities or facilities constructed with forced labour. She also called on travel organisations to inform their clients about the human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar. 4. The Dutch Embassy in Thailand helps Burmese refugees in Burma/Myanmar through the Thailand-Burma Border Consortium (TBBC) and through ZOA (Southeast Asia) Refugee Care. In total, it donated 2.4 million to these organisations in 2005 and The embassy also uses FSA funds to finance a number of smaller projects for Burmese opposition groups in Thailand. 6. The Dutch Embassy remains in close contact with the various Burmese opposition groups in Thailand as well as in Burma/Myanmar itself.