Myanmar is still using child soldiers - ILO

Mr. Steve Marshall, the ILO liaison officer seen in a press conference

Myanmar is still using forced labour in addition to the use of child soldiers, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said during a press conference in Yangon on July 17.

“Myanmar cannot deny the fact that there are still child soldier and forced labour. We are negotiating with the government over the eradication of these two issues. Not only the ILO but also other UN organisations are working together on these issues. To avoid using child soldiers, the government has already ordered to stop recruiting underage soldiers to the army. We are joining hands with the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services in this regard,” said Mr. Steve Marshall, the ILO liaison officer.

He continued to say that recruiting minors has also been found in other ethnic armed forces apart from the government forces. Forced labour and using child soldier cases can be found in the regions where ceasefires have been agreed. They have planned to work together with ethnic groups and international labour organisations to put an end to the practice.

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