GENEVA (ILO News) – The Commission of Inquiry, set up by the ILO Governing Body of the International Labour Office at its 344th Session in March 2022, in respect of the non-observance by Myanmar of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), held its first session at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva from 25 to 27 August 2022.

The first session of the Commission of Inquiry launched a procedure leading to a full and independent investigation into the matters brought before it by the Governing Body and the preparation of a report containing findings and recommendations to address these issues. The Commission’s members are eminent legal experts from the Philippines, South Africa and Bangladesh.

There have previously been thirteen Commissions of Inquiry established by the ILO to investigate allegations of serious non-observance of ratified international labour standards. Such Commissions represent the highest level of ILO supervisory mechanisms.