Federation of Trade Unions Myanmar (FTUM): Mar 8, 2012

Thursday, March 08, 2012

10 arrested after returning home to Myitsone dam village

7 March 2012

More than 10 Kachin civilians including a local Catholic nun were arrested

Tuesday evening for returning to Tang Hpre, a village forcibly relocated in

2010 to make way for the Myitsone mega dam, according to eyewitness

in Kachin state.

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British Companies Eye Burmese Markets

7 March 2012

Europe's largest construction equipment company, J. C. Bamford (JCB),

has revealed it is eying entry into the Burmese market.

The UK firm hopes to gain a foothold by the middle of the year, but

much may hinge on the removal of EU sanctions—contingent upon the

April by-elections being deemed legitimate.

The company's regional head, Rajen Nair, told The Irrawaddy, “I think

Myanmar [Burma] has very good potential for growth in the coming years.

We are new to that market but I have explored many options.”

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New Zealand develops business ties with Burma

7 March 2012
(Mizzima) – The New Zealand foreign minister is on an official visit to

Burma to cement closer bilateral development ties, official media

reported on Wednesday.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Burma Foreign Minister

Wunna Maung Lwin met in Naypyitaw on Tuesday, The New Light

of Myanmar reported.

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Chinese companies ‘overexploiting’ jade mines

7 March 2012

Chinese-run enterprises in the Kachin state region of Hpakant have illegally

increased operations at jade mines, according to locals who warn that

environmental degradation from heavy mining has worsened.

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Jade processing bill approved by Kachin State Assembly

7 March 2012

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – A bill that will allow local processing, cutting and

polishing of jade has been passed by the Kachin State Assembly. When

enacted, lawmakers say many new jobs will be created in the state.

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Trade Unions Co-ordination Meeting

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There was a coordination meeting of basic labour organizations, labour activists and legal experts at Myanmar Peace Center. Basic labour organization from different sectors such as industrial, agriculture, education and transport sector (altogether 31 unions Yangon Region, 6 unions from the Mandalay Region, 4 from the transport sector, 8 unions from the higher education) were involved in the meeting. It is coordination prior to a meeting to be hosted by the President, U Thein Sein with the workers and to come up specific points will be presented to the President. Issues on Labour related laws such as amendments of laws and implementing enforcement mechanism with punishment that will be preventive measure, issues on workplace disputes, working conditions and issues on migrant labour were discussed by the participants.

ILO- ACTRAV- ITC Training

FTUM and ILO ACTRAV-ITC Trade Union Training on Freedom of Association, Organization Strategies and Collective Bargaining Place; Golden Butterfly Hotel Date: 13-14, December, 2013 FTUM invited other non FTUM trade unions. Altogether 27 participants, 24 trade unions from different sector (IUF –Hotel union and agriculture, food, ITF- train and cargo handling, EI –university teachers, Industri All- township level labour organizations Household things, Garment, Plastic, Leather/Shoe, attended the training. Workers are introduced about how to bargain workers needs through collective bargaining system and to understand changing world of work and trade union’s important role. We, FTUM has been providing ILS through the ILO ACTRAV training to workers and trade unions since 2003.

I understand that the investors invest because they hope to profit from the ventures. Well, we agreed with that but we also hope to benefit from the investments ventures. Our country must benefit as much as those who have come in to invest that. So, please think deeply for us. I have been listening to many speakers in the forum. I was particularly struck by one comment, very simple comment that we have to look to the questions of corruption and inequality. I absolutely agreed with that. We have to try to eradicate corruption and inequality as we proceed to what greater investments. We do not want more investment to mean more possibilities of corruption. We do not want investment to mean greater inequality. We do not want corruption to mean greater privileges already privileged. We want investment to mean quite simply jobs as many jobs of possible. It is as simple as that. Job creation is extremely important in Burma and together with job creation must go training. The kind of training that will enable our unemployed young to take up jobs. Vocational Training, we need vocational training and non-formal education.

The World Economic Forum
May 30, June 1, 2012.

Bangkok, Thailand.

Changes in Myanmar – the Minister’s perspective

Myanmar's Union Minister at the Ministry of Labour, Aung Kyi, gives his thoughts on the way his country's reform process has moved so far, how the relationship with the ILO has evolved, and what the next steps might be. Our government sent the office one year ago. It has been undertaking a series of reforms such as National Reconciliation with all political parties, prevalence of peace with most of the armed ethnic groups, also for us, the multi-party democratic system and also we have enhancing the international co-operations, also holding the free and fair by-elections and so on.. So our intention, it may be called, we stretched on the continuation of these reformations to the remote areas to every villages, and every persons, ensuring that we would improve our health and education, as well as social issues according to our people-centre strategy adopted by our government last month. Key next step may be the improvement in socio-economy status of our country and the development of human resources. ILO's cooperation with our government could establish decent working conditions in Myanmar. That is improving, the working, and living conditions of our workers as well as the competitiveness. Our cooperation with ILO is very fine now. Much different from the past one or two decades when we neglected each other at that time but since 2002, we have more communication between ILO and Myanmar which developed to connection on 2007. After signing the supplementary understanding, and then when we are building those connections to become trust, the governing body chairman Ms.Juan Somovia, GB members, visit to our country. That is a feature that trusts because trust, so nowadays, the relations between ILO and Myanmar is prevailing everywhere. Everybody should recognize that we have already changed ourselves and I would like to ask any organization to see from the different perspectives, from the past. Thank you..

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Thursday, March 08, 2012

10 arrested after returning home to Myitsone dam village

British Companies Eye Burmese Markets

New Zealand develops business ties with Burma

Chinese companies ‘overexploiting’ jade mines

Jade processing bill approved by Kachin State Assembly