October 2007

EU Council imposes trade sanctions on Burma

October 2007

The 2824th EU General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting in
Luxembourg which was held on 15-16 October 2007 concluded that in response to the recent actions against "human rights and fundamental freedom" in Burma, the EU would increase direct pressure on the regime through stronger measures and additional restrictive measures.

This includes an export ban on machinery related to the timber trade as well as imports of timber from Burma into the EU. Other sectors included in the sanction include the mining sector.

The measures add to current EU restrictions in place which include an existing travel ban on Myanmar officials, an arms embargo and a freeze of Burmese assets.

Sources:

1. Council Conclusions on Burma/Myanmar from the 2824th GENERAL AFFAIRS AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS Council meeting Luxembourg, 15-16 October 2007, Council of the European Union.
2. EU widens sanctions against Myanmar by targeting economic sectors, International Herald Tribune, 15 October 2007.

See also Burma country pages.

British Columbia forest workers' vote to end strike

21 October 2007

The Canadian press has reported that a 13 week strike by British Columbia forest workers has ended as 51% of workers voted to accept a 3-year agreement. The agreement includes a pay rise of 2% in the first year, 3% in the second year and finally a further 2% in the third year.

It was reported that the agreement did not address the issue of work shift scheduling which was the main instigator of the strike.

The strike by 7,000 workers against 31 forest companies began July 21 and was largely in regards to hours of work and shift schedules which were reported to be damaging to workers' health and were enforced without input from the workers.

Sources:

1. Coastal Canadian forestry workers approve contract. Reuters, 21 October 2007.
2. Forest workers to vote on strike deal this week, CBC News, 15 October 2007.
3. B.C Forestry workers on strike, CBC News, 21 July 2007.

Barama named over breach of forestry procedures in Guyana

9 October 2007

A report in a local Guyana newspaper has reported that Barama has been named together with other concessionaires and staff from the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) as being involved in breaches of the country's forest procedures.

The disclosure was made by the he Head of State, President Bharrat Jagdeo who also said that there would be serious penalties for the companies involved.

The GFC previously announced that it was in the process of conducting an investigation into several logging companies after instances of false declaration of forest produce and their origin.

Sources:

1. President cites Barama, others over breaches of forestry procedures, Starbroek News, 9 October 2007.