[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 2266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-952]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Bureau of International Labor Affairs; Labor Practices in Burma, 
Public Hearings

    This document is a notice of public hearings to be held by the 
Department of Labor (DOL) for the purpose of gathering information 
regarding labor practices in Burma. The hearing will be held on Friday, 
February 6, 1998, at DOL, Room N-3437, beginning at 9:30 am. The 
hearing will be open to the public. DOL is now accepting requests from 
all interested parties to provide oral or written testimony at the 
hearing. Each presentation will be limited to ten minutes. DOL is not 
able to provide financial assistance to those wishing to travel to 
attend the hearing. Those unable to attend the hearing are invited to 
submit written testimony. Parties interested in testifying at the 
hearing on labor practices in Burma should call Alison Smith (202/219-
9403, ext. 166) to be put on the roster.
    DOL, in consultation with the Department of State, is currently 
undertaking a Congressionally-mandated report addressing labor 
practices in Burma [pursuant to the Foreign Operations, Export 
Financing, and Related programs Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No. 105-
118, Sec. 568, 111 stat 2429 (1997)]. The report is due to Congress 
within 120 days after November 26, 1997.
    The relevant Conference Report requests that DOL address 
allegations and details on child labor practices, worker rights, the 
forced relocation of laborers, and the use of forced labor to support 
the tourism industry and the construction of the Yadana gas pipeline.
    Information provided at the hearing will be considered by DOL in 
preparing its report to Congress. Testimony should be confined to the 
topic of the study. The Bureau of International Labor Affairs is 
seeking written and oral testimony on alleged violations of 
internationally recognized labor standards in Burma, i.e., freedom of 
association; the right to organize and bargain collectively; forced 
labor [testimony about forced labor should be limited only to new 
information not previously submitted to DOL for its hearing on June 27, 
1997 (announced in the Federal Register on May 9, 1997; 62 FR 25658); 
child labor; and non-discrimination in employment. DOL is also 
interested in working conditions in Burma such as wage and hour, and 
health and safety issues.

DATES: The hearing is scheduled for Friday, February 6, 1998. The 
deadline for being placed on the roster for oral testimony is 5:00 pm 
on Friday, January 30, 1998, Presenters will be required to submit five 
(5) written copies of their oral testimony to the Bureau of 
International labor Affairs by Wednesday, February 4, 1998. The record 
will be kept open for additional written testimony until 5:00 pm, 
February 16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held at DOL, Room N-3437, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC. Written testimony should be 
addressed to the Bureau of International Affairs, U.S. Department of 
Labor, Attention: Alison Smith, Room S-5006, 200 Constitution Avenue, 
NW, Washington, DC 20210; fax: 202/219-5613.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alison Smith, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of 
Labor, Room S-5006, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; 
telephone: 202/219-9403, ext. 166; fax: 202/219-5613. Persons with 
disabilities who need special accommodations should contact Alison 
Smith by Monday, February 2, 1998.
    All written or oral comments submitted pursuant to the public 
hearing will be made part of the record of review referred to above and 
will be available for public inspection.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 7th day of January, 1998.
Adrew J. Samet,
Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Bureau of International Labor Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-952 Filed 1-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-28-M