An official with the International Labor Organization (ILO) says he is optimistic that Burma's military government will eventually allow the ILO to establish a permanent office in Rangoon.

Kari Tapiolo, the ILO's executive director for labor standards, declined to forecast when the office might open. He said in Bangkok Monday that negotiations were making progress.

An ILO team is currently in Burma to assess the military government's efforts to end forced labor.

Last November, an ILO report said forced labor continues in Burma, despite the government's assertion that new laws have banned the practice.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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