The International Labor Organization (ILO) says Burma plans to withdraw from the UN agency -- although the ruling military junta has not made an official announcement.
In a statement issued Friday, the ILO said Burma announced it was planning to leave the group during a meeting in Rangoon last week.
The ILO called the meeting to protest what it describes as a deteriorating situation for its mission in Burma, including death threats against its representatives.
The U.S. State Department said Friday it is deeply troubled that Burma is not willing to cooperate with the ILO.
Although Burma's laws ban forced labor, the ILO said earlier this year the ban has not been implemented and little progress has been made in ending the practice.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
