Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Over 3,000 workers march in honour of May Day



May 1, 2017
In honour of 127th May Day, over 3,000 workers in Hlinethaya Township marched in a celebration of workers’ unions and job development yesterday. 

Yesterday morning, more than 3,000 workers gathered at the Nawaday bus stand in Hlinethaya, marching to the amphitheatre where a ceremony celebrating international workers’ day would be held, with workers holding their respective union flags. 
“International investments are being invited for the development of industrial enterprises. Every industrial zone is an economic zone which is earning money for the national development. So, employers and employees are required to work hard for the development of both employers and employees. In doing so, it is needed to discuss openly and transparently”, said U Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister of the Yangon Region Cabinet. 
A message sent by the President was read out by U Myo Aung, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, with an address made by U Zaw Aye Maung, minister for Rakhine Ethnic Affairs and Labour Affairs. 
Ma Thinzar Htet, an attendee and chairman of the primary workers’ union of Charming Brand Clothing in Hlinethaya township said, “Now, our country is more transparent than ever. There are many workers expecting for minimum wages more than now. We hope that workers’ forces will be able to support the national economic development in one way or other.” 
At the ceremony, various matters such as protecting women from being forced into working as sex slaves, an educative programme on migrant workers, favourable occupations, eradication of forced labour, onthe-job safety, health and social security matters were presented with, matters of on-the-job affairs which employees wanted to discuss explained by legal consultant and an expert on solving labour disputes. 
Film stars and members of labour unions entertained the gathering with songs. 
In celebration of Int’l Workers’ Day, government ensuring job opportunities 
U Thein Swe Union Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population announced that they are collaborating with business and international organisations to create better job opportunities for workers. 
The remark came at a ceremony to commemorate the 127th International Workers’ Day on 1 May at the Myanmar Convention Centre on Min Dhamma Road in Yangon. 
“To ensure workers get access to better jobs and develop their skills, the government is working together with businesses and international organisations,” he added. 
He further stated they are carrying out discussions for continuous development of workers’ skills at the national level, conducting seminars and opening workshops for skill development in regions and states, and working closely with region and state governments, employers and workers to issue national-level verification certificates for workers.
“What they said at the ceremony is quite encouraging for the labour force and if they really carefully do as they planned it will foster greater trust between workers and employers. We have requested that they come carry out inspections to review workers’ losses but no inspection team came immediately and the workers have already lost their jobs by the time they finish their procedures. I think conditions are better than before, though,” said Ko Aung Ko Latt from Myaung Dagar Industrial Zone. 
To ensure the safety of workers, to foster better relations between workers and with employers, and to ensure worker’s unions can be freely organised, the Ministry has permitted the formation of a total of 2,443 unions since 2011.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar

No comments:

Post a Comment