Federation of Trade Unions-Burma

Responsibility & Rights

InternationalContact BurmaOfficeJapan 1010062 3F,SohyoKaikan 3211,KandaSurugadai ChiyodaKuTokyoJapan Te:81352963010 Fax:81352967903

FTUB welcomes the first Trade Union awareness workshop initiated by the ILO and supports for more workshops on FoA
FTUB, an affiliate of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), welcomes and encourages the first workshop in Myanmar/ Burma on Freedom of Association initiated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and attended by government, employer and worker representatives. This workshop on Freedom of Association is one result after more than 20 years of work through the ILO mechanism supported by the ITUC, the achievement of the work by the brothers and sisters who worked consistently on the need for FoA in Myanmar/Burma. It is also due to the recognition by the Government on the need to recognize the rights of the Workers and Farmers. The Freedom of Association Workshop was held on July 19, 2012 and organized by Mr. Ross Wilson, Chief Technical Advisor of the ILO Freedom of Association Program for the executive committee members of both the newly registered and still organizing trade unions. A total of 280 persons from the government including the Deputy Dir Gen U Thet Naing Oo, employers and workers representatives and legal advisors participated. This cooperation between government, employer and workers through the initiative of the ILO and where the ILO is now working directly with the workers is the first step concrete towards development of workers and farmers organizations and more importantly, change by the government. This momentum needs to be maintained until the achievement of trade unions and awareness and practice of the International Labour Standards (ILS) for the workers and farmers of Myanmar / Burma. The ILO and the government should also reach out to the workers / farmers and trade unions in the rural areas so that an equal development can be achieved. Moreover, it should lead towards a condition where trade unions can participate in the policy making process in terms of the National policies such as the fundamental rights of farmers and workers, sustainable economic growth, conservation of natural resources and environment as preparation for the foreign direct investments coming into Burma. FTUB also urges the government to implement the agreements with the ILO before the ILO Governing Body meeting in November so that all sanctions against Myanmar / Burma will be lifted totally and without any conditions. July 19, 2012 Contact: +66 860549152