News

UNI Apro was recently invited to celebrate May Day together with more than 800 trade union members from different regions and states in Myanmar. They included members from AFFM-IUF (Agriculture and Farmer Federation of Myanmar, Myanmar Industry Craft and Services Trade Union Federation (MICS-TUsF), University Teachers Association (UTA), and Myanmar Maritime Workers Federation (MMWF).

The event opened with a speech by the host represented by Brother U Zar Ni Thwe, General Secretary of AFFM-IUF. It was followed by speeches from government representatives, notably the Honourable Minister of Labour and Immigration, Honourable Prime Minister – Yangon Division, Minister of Labour – Yangon Division, Director General of Department of Labour, and Permanent Secretary of Department of Labour. Fraternal messages were also delivered by ambassadors, ILO, and the workers’ organizations.

UNI Apro was honoured to be the only Global Union Federation present at this event. Bro. Kun Wardana, Director for ICTS Sector and ASEAN Activities, delivered the fraternal message for UNI Apro. He highlighted the need and importance of social partnership to anticipate and prepare for the challenges faced by workers today. There is a need to have comprehensive government, employer and trade union collaboration and cooperation to develop more effective future workforce strategy. The process should be just, fair and equitable and people must be the focus and centre of development. Trade unions have a key role to bring about these changes.