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Workers’ Demands in Myanmar

Trade Union Pro is a member of the Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland SASK, which runs several development cooperation projects in Myanmar. Pro interviewed local trade unionists about their demands for a better working life.

Workers’ Demands in Myanmar

Published 31.05.2019 at 10:58
News
Trade Union Pro is a member of the Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland SASK, which runs several development cooperation projects in Myanmar. Pro interviewed local trade unionists about their demands for a better working life.

According to the Trade Union Confederation CTUM’s chairman Maung-Maung Myanmar respects the freedom of association.

– This means that we can organize and build trade unions. We have a tripartite dialogue mechanism where we have our own representatives.

The fundaments for trade unions are there, but whether their input is taken into is another matter.

–  We are asking our voices to be heard and to be listened to.

Better terms and wage increase

Industrial Union IWFM’s President Khaing Zar Aung mentions pay rise as one of the demands set by the trade unions.

– We have a minimum wage in Myanmar, but it is very low. It doesn’t cover the basic needs of workers and it’s far away from living wage. The employer does not recognize the skills, years of service and productivity of the workers.  

The state of Myanmar has issued an act on factories, but the management does not always follow the law.

– We demand better working conditions. We also want trade unions to be recognized and respected.

What is SASK?

The Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland SASK is the solidarity and development cooperation organization of Finnish trade unions, which promotes decent work and living wages by strengthening the trade union movement in developing countries. SASK has dozens of development cooperation projects in South and Southeast Asia, Southern Africa and Latin America (mainly Colombia), which are run in cooperation with the local trade unions.

SASK was founded by the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions  SAK and its affiliated unions in 1986. Since then, SASK has become a widely representative solidarity body of the Finnish trade union movement with two central organisations and 35 national federations as affiliated members.

More information on SASK can be found at www.sask.fi/in-english.