Background
Last November, the International Labor Organization (ILO) called on all of its members – which include governments, labor unions, and employers – to review their relationship with Burma to ensure that they are not contributing to forced labor in Burma.
This is the first time in its history that the ILO has taken such an extraordinary step. This is largely because the scale of forced labor in Burma is horrifying and widespread.
Several U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives have co-sponsored new legislation in Congress – the Burma Freedom Act – to help stop forced labor in Burma. Since the military junta uses forced labor in all aspects of the Burmese economy, this bill seeks to ban U.S. imports from Burma.
For the text and current co-sponsors of the U.S. Senate bill (S.926) click here.
For the text and current co-sponsors of the U.S. House of Representatives bill (H.R.2211) click here.
Please write your U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative to urge them to co-sponsor these key bills.
Not Sure Who Are Your Members of Congress?
Use Thomas to help identify your Members of Congress. Or call (800) 393-1082 to use the AFL-CIO’s Congressional help-line.
How Should You Contact Your Member of Congress?
The more time you spend to lobby an elected official, the more impact it will have. A personal one-page letter followed up with a phone call is better than an email or a postcard. Do the most that you can.
Let us know the effectiveness of this action alert. Please email Shelley Alpern when you send your letters and when you receive a reply.
| Sample Letter to Your U.S. Senators
The Honorable (full name)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator (last name):
I am writing to urge that you support and co-sponsor the Burma Freedom Act (S.926). This bill would bar U.S. imports from Burma of goods connected to the use of forced labor in that country.
[Include a paragraph describing yourself and your roots in the local community. Describe your interest in Burma. Please write as much as you can.]
Although the pressure of sanctions has helped recently to bring the military junta to the negotiating table, the situation remains grave. The International Labor Organization has, for the first time in its history, called for sanctions on a member country because of the Burmese military regime’s pervasive use of forced labor. The U.S. State Department has chronicled the junta’s complicity in the drug trade that brings heroin to the streets of the United States.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has called on the international community to put greater pressure on Burma’s ruling junta. As leader of the National League for Democracy, which won 82% of the seats in the 1990 Burmese elections that were annulled by the military, she has specifically called for economic sanctions on the junta.
Please write and tell me if you plan to support and co-sponsor the Burma Freedom Act (S.926).
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address
|
| Sample Letter to Your U.S. Representative
The Honorable (full name)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Representative (last name):
I am writing to urge that you support and co-sponsor the Burma Freedom Act (HR.2211). This bill would bar U.S. imports from Burma of goods connected to the use of forced labor in that country.
[Include a paragraph describing yourself and your roots in the local community. Describe your interest in Burma. Please write as much as you can.]
Although the pressure of sanctions has helped recently to bring the military junta to the negotiating table, the situation remains grave. The International Labor Organization has, for the first time in its history, called for sanctions on a member country because of the Burmese military regime’s pervasive use of forced labor. The U.S. State Department has chronicled the junta’s complicity in the drug trade that brings heroin to the streets of the United States.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has called on the international community to put greater pressure on Burma’s ruling junta. As leader of the National League for Democracy, which won 82% of the seats in the 1990 Burmese elections that were annulled by the military, she has specifically called for economic sanctions on the junta.
Please write and tell me if you plan to support and co-sponsor the Burma Freedom Act (HR.2211).
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address
|
