CCO 107 World Histories and Issues

Tutor Marked Assignment [TMA] July 2017

Tan Jolynn
Y1780918
Word Count - 1000
Introduction

Human trafficking, like a huge umbrella, can shelter different forms such
as sex trafficking, forced labour, etc. My assignment focuses on forced
labour arguably the largest global human trafficking sector. Forced
labour is, defined by International Labour Organization [ILO], as all work
or service which is exacted from any person under the threat of a
penalty and for which the person has not offered himself or herself
voluntarily.

Myanmar

Myanmar, now known as Burma, has been described as a Praetorian

State due to the leviathan-type armed forces [Tatmadaw] involvement in
policy control. After overthrowing British colonial rule, Tatmadaw
inherited the role of governing Burma and to date, still remain as the
most powerful political institution.

Decades of authoritarian rule led to the growth of Tatmadaws influence

over its people. Stemmed from an underlying fear of losing control over
Burmas multi-faceted society, its development agenda of expanding
troop deployment was a large contributing factor for growing demands of
forced labour particularly in the military sector.

Recruitment patterns
Demographically, majority [two-third] of Burmas population belong to the
Burman ethnic group and the remaining split into as many as 145 minor
ethnic groups.
By choosing to source for forced labour in insurgent-occupied territories,
Tatmadaws goals of expanding military territorial control, gaining
accessibility to government-restricted land and garnering more support
as resilience of minorities weakened gradually could be more effectively
achieved.

Campaigns, bribes, coercion, threats and violence are common tactics

deployed to recruit forced military labour. Responding to economic
sanctions imposed by United States [US] as a result of Burmas 2016
Tier 3 Ranking, means of recruiting have shifted from formally written
orders or informal abduction to issuance of verbal orders.

Tiers ranking, mandated by US Trafficking Victims Protection Act

[TVPA], are ascribed after assessing governments efforts to meet the
TVPAs minimum standards for elimination of human trafficking.

Any evidence of formal recruitment letters or eyewitnesses reports of

abduction would prove disadvantageous to Burmas attempts of
convincing US to lift these detrimental economic sanctions.

Transit patterns
Exploitation of forced military labour within Burma, usually revolves
around development zones commonly thought to be the hornets nest
for execution of anti-government activities.

Porters shoulder loads pilled with food and military supplies that weigh
between 16 to 33 kg while marching long distances through various
villages without rest. Heartless ignorance or brutal punishments are
common reactions to any signs of declining pace or collapse.
Villages within development zones, military camps and infantry
battalions are spots commonly used to provide labour for the
construction of commercial ventures infrastructure. While transiting,
porters protect soldiers by assuming the role of human minesweepers to
detonate hidden mines.

Through the implementation of infrastructure and regimentation projects,

Tatmadaw exert military control over civilians rights by restricting travel
and trade, fuelling growth in the industry of forced military labour.

Exploitation patterns
Military camps, armed forces and military-supported commercial
ventures are common sources where forced military labour is exploited.
This deters any rebellious acts or plans by conveying the message that
its power should not be belittled.

With more development projects being created, military rule over its
people are also increasing, thus raising concerns for the welfare of
Burmas civilians. Doing more harm than good, seeking help increases
the likelihood of victims being punished as lack of protection and culture
of military impunity have dashed victims hope for democracy and justice

Other than physical abuse, the military abuse vulnerabilities created to

maximize control over the victims. The causality dilemma concept leads
to the conclusion that it is the victims vulnerable position that gives rise
to the perpetrators position of power.
National Strategies
Despite clashing goals between Burmas development agenda and
international efforts to eradicate forced labour, its undeniably essential
to establish diplomatic relations with United Nations [UN]. Albeit
superficial, slight progress were made to protect victims and enforce law
on officials guilty of exploiting child military labour. Carefully planned UN
inspectional site visits might be one of the reasons causing Burmas tier
ranking to improve in 2017 as these visits act as assessment tools for
ranking and possibly, subsequent imposing of corrective actions.

Impediments to stringent enforcement of trafficking laws include political

corruption, military impunity, governments condoning approach in
penalization of government traffickers and differing sentiments shared by
UN and Burma with regards to forced military labour.

Calls to reform militarys self-reliance policy have been ignored, despite

reports indicating that this practice of relying on local villagers for food
and labour supplies instead of government support, have aggravated the
exploitation of forced military labour. Through this arrangement,
villagers inability to meet demands would be forced to exchange their
labour to avoid any punishment.

International Approach
Financial aid and knowledge-sharing through international professionals
signal the worlds earnest stance to overhaul authoritarian rule and shift
towards democracy where human rights are acknowledged.

Two distinct school of thoughts exist between Western and Asian

countries with regards to Burmas insouciance to international calls for
cooperation. Western governments support the idea of diplomatic and
economic isolation while Asian neighbours believed in enticing Burma to
cooperate through constructive engagement.

Overthrowing British colonial rule in 1940s, Japan played a pivotal role

to Burmas survival as a nation and this could be echoed again in
todays context to fight against forced labour in Burma. Being in Burmas
good books, Japan negotiation with Burma would be seen as accepting
rather than, forced and imposed. This soft yet hard approach might
witness Burma transformation to a state with compassion and integrity.

Conclusion

Undergirded by the fear of losing control and possible divided nation,

Burmas military refusal of acceding to minorities groups call for
democracy arises not due to its strong stand supporting dictatorship but
rather emotional distress over possible destruction of national identity.

Capitalization of forced labour emerged as the military attempts to

control Burmas multi-faceted society. Ironically, the rampant industry
seem to be uncontrollable, with the only exception of control exerted by
traffickers over their powerless and unprotected victims.
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