We are deeply concerned by yesterday’s announcement that the U.S. government will lift the Executive Order and provide tariff benefits to Burma...[This] premature decision that gives away leverage in efforts to improve labor and other human rights. The AFL-CIO supports a successful transition to democracy in Burma and has been working with allies in the labor movement there to advance this transition. The administration’s action reduces its ability to ensure that Burma does not give an advantage to violators of human and worker rights or to those who facilitate and profit from forced labor or other abuses... The U.S. government in its most recent Trafficking in Persons report downgraded Burma to Tier 3, which is reserved for the worst offenders who are not making progress.