MTUF to protect workers through legal means
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Myanmar Trade Unions Federation has vowed that they would seek legal means to strengthen workers' protection, following a recent crackdown on workers demanding for wage hike.
At the press conference on February 25, Aung Lin, chairperson of MTUF, also said that his federation would not work for the benefit of employers.
Earlier this month, workers at four garment factories - Tai Yi Shoe, E-Land Myanmar, Ford Glory and Costec in Shwepyithar and Hlaing Tharyar industrial zones were on street, demanding for an increase in their wage.
On February 20, some protest camps were demolished and some of the protest leaders were charged.
“We cannot offer financial support to the workers, but we could provide them legal assistance. This is in line with our principle,” said Aung Lin.
He furthered that the federation is now discussing with the Labour, Employment and Social Welfare Ministry on the weak points of labour-related laws.
MTUF is helping the ministry set the minimum wage. They are also working together in reforming the Labour Organisation Law.
Aung Thu, an executive committee member of MTUF, added that the federation also has a legal team to assist individual workers’ demand for compensation and other issues.
Labour organisations have accused the authorities of using a heavy-handed approach to solve the labour disputes.
They demanded that the Yangon Region government and the Ministry of Labour should take responsibility over the crackdown.
The authorities announced on February 17 that it will take action against both the owners and workers if they break the law.
“I think the crackdown on labour disputes is heavy-handed. The government should solve the problems with more peaceful means. Both sides need flexibilities,” said Aung Lin, chairman of Federation of Myanmar Labour Union.
“We, labourers, were told that we weren’t respecting the law. However, nobody is taking action against the foreign owners who act in disrespectful manners against the workers. Only in Myanmar, you get cheap labour. In Thailand, a daily income of a worker is Ks 8,000. In Myanmar, the daily income is only Ks 1350. We are being oppressed. If the employers are willing to increase the wages, there won’t be any dispute,” said Thein Moe Lwin from the Costec Garment Factory.
