For Immediate Release
Contact: Nate Herman
Phone: 703-797-9062

TGA Applauds House Passage of Legislation Banning Imports from Burma

Princeton, NJ - 15 July, 2003 - Travel Goods Association (TGA) President Anne L. DeCicco applauded the U.S. House of Representative's passage today, by an overwhelming vote of 418 - 2, of The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. The House vote follows the Senate's passage of a similar bill by a 97 - 1 vote on June 11. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Rep. Peter King (R-NY) and Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and their colleagues in both the House and Senate, calls for a ban on all imports from Burma until it can be determined that the ruling Burmese government has made substantial and measurable progress to end its human rights abuses. The legislation must now be reconciled with the Senate version and signed into law by the President.

"TGA is pleased to learn that Congress, led by the House and Senate's historic votes, is taking an important step towards ending the human rights crisis that is happening in Burma today," said DeCicco. DeCicco continued, "TGA, through its trade policy, promotes best practices to ensure that travel goods are produced in a socially responsible manner by encouraging its members to operate under programs that are compliant with applicable labor laws. Thus, TGA and its membership fully support the legislation passed by the House and Senate, and call upon Congress for the swift reconciliation of the two versions of the bill and the bill's signing by President Bush."

Tom Sandler, TGA's Chair and President of Samsonite Corporation, noted that, "The government of Burma continues to abuse its citizens through force and intimidation, and refuses to respect the basic human rights of its people. TGA believes this unacceptable behavior should be met with condemnation from not only the international public community, but from private industry as well. For these very reasons, one month ago TGA called for an immediate and total ban on U.S. imports of Burmese travel goods."

According to Sandler, "TGA and its members hope that Congress' efforts are only the first step towards international condemnation and sanctions on Burma, not just by countries such as Japan, the European Union, China, and the countries of Southeast Asia, but worldwide sanctions through the United Nations to address the horrible situation in Burma."

The necessity for Congressional and international action is highlighted by the recent attacks of the country's ruling military junta on Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma's pro-democracy opposition, and her supporters. Suu Kyi remains under house arrest with no access to the outside world. These attacks and Suu Kyi's continued imprisonment illustrate that Burma's regime has grown more oppressive than ever, despite worldwide condemnation.

According to the U.S. government's 2002 Country Report on Human Rights Practices on Burma, the Burmese government has "...continued to restrict worker rights, ban unions, and use forced labor for public works and for the support of military garrisons. Other forced labor, including child labor, remain a serious problem despite recent ordinances outlawing the practice." Additionally, in 2000, the International Labor Organization (ILO) — for the first time in its history — called on all ILO members to impose sanctions on Burma.

Additionally, in 2000, the International Labor Organization (ILO) — for the first time in its history — called on all ILO members to impose sanctions on Burma.

On June 12, 2003, TGA announced its new policy in support of a ban on travel goods imported from Burma. Since then, the association has communicated support for a total ban on all Burmese goods to Executive Branch officials, Congress and other associations.

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The Travel Goods Association is the voice of the U.S. travel goods industry. A national trade association, TGA represents the manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of luggage, leather goods, business and travel accessories, business and computer cases, handbags, and other products for people who travel.