450 executive committee members of factory-level trade unions deliver training on sound industrial relations in the garment sector
The Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) and the Myanmar Industries Crafts and Services (MICS) deliver training on sound industrial relations to 450 executive committee members of factory-level trade unions in various industrial zones in Yangon, Mandalay and Bago.
Sustainable employment and a stable industrial system and institutions are fundamental requisites for Myanmar economic and social development. Those rely on independent, professional and strong trade union and employers’ organizations able to contribute to social dialogue leading to sound industrial relations in Myanmar and in the garment industry, the fastest growing manufacturing sector. Since 2012, when Myanmar adopted a new Labour Organizations Law whose intention is to promote freedom of association across the country, the number of trade unions in the country has been steadily increasing contributing to the development of industrial democracy.
Given this recent development, in April 2018, the ILO Garment Industry Project (ILO-GIP) has entered into partnership with two of the main manufacturing trade unions, the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) and the Myanmar Industries Crafts and Services (MICS) with the goal to increase the knowledge and skills of their trainers to deliver services to their garment factory-level trade unions.
Over the past 2 years, 20 trainers from IWFM and MICS jointly attended a training of trainers program designed to increase their capacity in terms of international labour standards, internal trade union organization, training skills and adult pedagogy and a number of Myanmar labour legislations including the Labour Organization Law, Settlement of Labour Dispute Law, Factory Act as well as collective bargaining.
The newly equipped trainers then delivered training to some 450 members of factory-level trade union executive committee members in Hlaint Tar Yar towhship, South Dagon, Mandalay, Hmawbi, and Bago.
“We have become more systematic in teaching and providing training. The next step is improvement in planning and negotiating” said one of the trade union trainers.
In addition, and aiming to increase the sustainability of the ILO-GIP training program, two series of educational videos were produced. A first, building on international experts, covers a number of relevant international topics such as International Labour Standards, the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, the role of international trade union and global framework agreements, wage policy and collective bargaining. A second series, in Myanmar language, includes information on the current Myanmar labour laws such as Minimum wage law, payment of wages act, leave and holiday, working time, etc.
Given this recent development, in April 2018, the ILO Garment Industry Project (ILO-GIP) has entered into partnership with two of the main manufacturing trade unions, the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) and the Myanmar Industries Crafts and Services (MICS) with the goal to increase the knowledge and skills of their trainers to deliver services to their garment factory-level trade unions.
Over the past 2 years, 20 trainers from IWFM and MICS jointly attended a training of trainers program designed to increase their capacity in terms of international labour standards, internal trade union organization, training skills and adult pedagogy and a number of Myanmar labour legislations including the Labour Organization Law, Settlement of Labour Dispute Law, Factory Act as well as collective bargaining.
The newly equipped trainers then delivered training to some 450 members of factory-level trade union executive committee members in Hlaint Tar Yar towhship, South Dagon, Mandalay, Hmawbi, and Bago.
“We have become more systematic in teaching and providing training. The next step is improvement in planning and negotiating” said one of the trade union trainers.
In addition, and aiming to increase the sustainability of the ILO-GIP training program, two series of educational videos were produced. A first, building on international experts, covers a number of relevant international topics such as International Labour Standards, the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, the role of international trade union and global framework agreements, wage policy and collective bargaining. A second series, in Myanmar language, includes information on the current Myanmar labour laws such as Minimum wage law, payment of wages act, leave and holiday, working time, etc.