Federation of Trade Unions Myanmar (FTUM)

Monday, October 14, 2013

SOLIDAR Silver Rose Award Winners 2013

Come and meet our extraordinary winners…

Mamadú Sissé from Islamic Community of Tapada das Mercês and Mem Martins

This community association does extraordinary work to integrate Islamic people coming mainly from Western Africa into the territory of Tapada das Mercês in Portugal. It supports over 400 families by carrying out social and cultural activities such as after school activities for children, Portuguese lessons and trainings to develop personal, professional and social competences. acitm.wordpress.com

Grainne O’Toole from Migrants Rights Centre Ireland and Mohammad Younis, Migrant Leader

Migrants Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) works for justice, empowerment and equality for migrants and their families in Ireland. Mohammad Younis, a Pakistani national, became an MRCI migrant leader after experiencing exploitation in the workplace. Despite the risks he faced in speaking out as an undocumented worker, Mohammad Younis courageously campaigns to ensure justice and rights for all migrant workers in Ireland. mrci.ie

U Maung Maung from Federation of Trade Unions-Myanmar

For over 20 years, Maung Maung has played an essential role in the survival – and now growth – of the trade union movement in Myanmar. In 2012, Maung Maung was in direct negotiations with the government which paved the return of the Federation of Trade Unions-Myanmar (FTUM) to Myanmar (from exile in Thailand). Now, there are laws in place providing a legal framework for trade union activity in Myanmar.

Guatemalan Indigenous Ixil Communities represented by Center for Human Rights Legal Action

The Center for Human Rights Legal Action (CALDH) has been a driving force in working for justice to be done and the truth to come out regarding the terrible abuses that the Guatemalan people faced during the internal armed conflict. Starting in 1960, it lasted 36 years and caused more than 200,000 deaths and disappearances of civilians according to the UN. Notably, CALDH has supported the Ixil communities in pressing charges against former General Efrain Rios Montt (in power from 1982-83) for genocide and crimes against humanity. caldh.org

Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett

Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett are advocating to reduce income inequality in order to improve the quality of life. Through analysis and dissemination of the latest research and robust evidence-based arguments (notably with the book “The Spirit Level”) associating various issues such as health issues, crime and teenage problems with social justice, they conclude that the less the differences between poor and rich, the greater the benefits for the entire society. equalitytrust.org.uk

Register your attendance If you have not done so yet, register your attendance at this year’s Silver Rose Awards ceremony taking place in the European Parliament (room ASP 3G3) on 16 October from 6.30-8pm, followed by a reception.

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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..

Video

Myanmar needs democracy-friendly development growth, says Aung San Suu Kyi Changes in Myanmar – the Minister’s perspective Changes in Myanmar – an amployers perspective Changes in Myanmar – a workers perspective Aung San Suu Kyi and the ILO The ILO’s role in Myanmar ILO’s Somavia wams of “vicious downward economic spiral” East Asia 2012 – A Conversation with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi East Asia 2012 – The Promise and Futurd of Myanmar East Asia 2012 – Press Conference with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

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Monday, October 14, 2013

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