The International Labor Organization says it will give Burma until March to increase its cooperation with the United Nations agency or face the possibility of more punitive measures..

ILO Executive Director Kari Tapiola says the organization sees no improvement in the labor and rights situation in Burma, and in fact has noticed a degradation of conditions.

The ILO's governing body, meeting in Geneva on Thursday, called on Burma's government to stop prosecuting victims of forced labor and instead take action against the perpetrators.

The U.N. labor organization also condemned a series of death threats received by its liaison officer in Rangoon. Mr. Tapiola says Burma has not responded to the ILO's request for an investigation into the threats.

Burma's ambassador in Geneva told the ILO his government is ready to cooperate with the agency but gave no details.