Commission acts against Burma

BRUSSELS - The EU Commission yesterday withdrew tariff concessions to Burma in protest against the use of forced labour by the…

BRUSSELS - The EU Commission yesterday withdrew tariff concessions to Burma in protest against the use of forced labour by the military regime, writes Patrick Smyth, European Correspondent.

The move was welcomed by the Irish Commissioner, Mr Padraig Flynn, who said the value of lost concessions would be about £1 million a year.

Mr Flynn has been fighting inside the commission to see minimum labour standards included in trade agreements.

The move follows complaints from European and international trade union confederations who complain that Burma is using forced labour.