Federation of Trade Unions Myanmar (FTUM)

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Federation of Trade Unions Myanmar (FTUM)"

Evelyn Jacobs
5 years ago
Views:

1 Federation of Trade Unions Myanmar (FTUM)

2 TITLE Organizing and domestic Workers Union formation Time Frame 1 st Sep, 2013 to 30 th Nov, 2013

3 Background and Justification Background of Myanmar workers situation and trade unions in past 60 years - Myanmar was under military government for over 60 years. Under the military rule, human rights, citizenship rights and labor rights were unrecognized. Also any organization including trade unions could not formed. There were no Laws for benefits of workers and farmers. Consequently, workers are being working under low wages, long working hours, no regular holiday, no social protection and social security benefit, no health care. The maternity leave and other protection of women worker rights were also under violation. -Domestic workers are working under more worse situations mentioned above. They are not being recognized as a worker. Most domestic workers live in employers house and have to serve for 24 hours stand by with very low wages than other workers who are working in different sectors. They have lack of resting time during a day. Some don t have day off and Some have one

4 Background and Justification - In 2010, there was a general election and the political situation of Myanmar was changed.(not totally). The labour organization law was enacted by the parliament in The labour organization rules was enacted in 2012 March. According to those laws, the workers in Myanmar have rights to form unions. The passing of the law has allowed the country to begin taking steps to improve freedom of association and collective bargaining. In March 2012, the settlement of labour dispute law was ratified. - Despite these reforms workers and union leaders still face many problems. Minimum union membership requirements are still too high and they limit workers rights to strike. The laws do not offer enough protection and anti-union discrimination still remains a problem. Myanmar s 2008 constitution also still restricts the true exercise of the rights guaranteed under the ILO convention concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to

5 Background and Justification Background of the FTUM The Federation of Trade Unions-Myanmar, FTUM, formerly known as FTUB, was formed in It was based on Thailand. It is working to store democracy, human rights, social justice and trade unions in Myanmar. In 2012 June, the representatives from ministry of labour and FTUM's leaders had a meeting during the International labour Conference (ILC) and got agreement on returning Myanmar and work freely trade union issues. Also the president of Myanmar had welcome the Myanmar people who work in outside of the country. FTUM and Myanmar peace team had several meetings and finally, the General Secretary of the FTUM was allowed to return Myanmar in Sep Then, some leaders of FTUM and its office team returned and work inside.

6 Background and Justification Registered Unions Under the Labour Organizations Law and Rule, there are Six hunderd and thirty six (636) basic labour unions, fifteen (15) township level unions, one federation level (seafarers union) and seventeen (17) basic employer unions were registered. FTUM member unions 175 members unions in agriculture, Industry, construction, transportation (including coolie workers, rickshaws workers), mining sector. Some unions from education sector, street vendors are waiting for their registration. Hotel and restaurant workers unions and university teachers union are working with FTUM very closely. FTUM can organize workers and provide trainings in Myanmar even there still have restriction by township administrative in some divisions. FTUM held the unions coordination meeting to collect the workers view

7 Target Group - Domestic workers working in Yangon area and Care for Domestic Women Helper Department Parties involve - FTUM (Women committee) - Care for Domestic Women Hleper Dapartment - Domestic workers

8 Objectives To Promote Domestic Workers Rights To emerge domestic workers unions and have effective laws for domestic workers

9 Activities FTUM women committee meeting to plan trainings and domestic workers union formation Meeting with FTUM women committee members and Care for Domestic Women Helper Department who can help committee to meet with domestic workers and help arrangement for trainings. Giving regular training one time in two months. To do survey how many domestic workers are working in Yangon area with the help of CDHD and domestic workers itself. Distribution Pamphlet on Trade Union Basic and C189 Invite domestic workers to unions coordination meeting to involve their voices in law preparing and drafting (Eg. Now

10 Thank You for Your Kind Attention

FAQs for workers July 2018

Myanmar Labour Law FAQs for workers July 2018 Understanding labour laws may not be an easy task. Myanmar workers often ask the ILO about their rights at work, or where and to whom to present their grievances