Willis on Burma blacklist

Willis has been blacklisted by an international union organisation for doing business in Burma.

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) warned that Willis risked becoming an accomplice to forced labour.

It hopes its naming and shaming action will embarrass the company into pulling out of the country.

Burma's military rulers are held responsible for human rights abuses including forced labour and poor provision of health and education. The UK discourages trade with the country, a Foreign Office spokeswoman said. The ICFTU picked out Willis, one of 375 companies blacklisted worldwide, after the company said on its website earlier this year that it served clients in Burma.

Willis said: "Willis is a leading, global risk management and insurance intermediary with over 50,000 clients in some 180 countries, including Myanmar [Burma]. Willis operates within the laws that apply to it while conducting its business."