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Myanmar tripartite partners discussed the concept of partnership industrial relations (IR) at a workshop jointly organised by the Ministry of Labour, Myanmar and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Germany.The Workshop held in Yangoon on 27 June 2012 was officially opened by HE U Myint Thein, Deputy Minister of Labour of Myanmar.



UNI Apro President and President of ICTJ Japan, Tomoyasu Kato led a delegation who were invited to share their positive partnership industrial relations experiences. Workshop participants composed of officials from the Ministry of Labour, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, NGOs and various newly registered trade unions. The UNI Apro delegation include Christopher Ng, UNI Apro Regional Secretary, John Hannet, General Secretary of USDAW UK, Manabu Oshima, Chief Human Resource Officer of AEON Japan, Takeshi Inagaki, Personnel Department AEON Japan, Yasuhiko Takahashi, Deputy President of AEON Group Workers' Union, Akiko Gono, Director of International Affairs of UIZensen Japan, Fumiko Kimura, Secretary for International Affairs ICTJ Japan.



Other speakers include H E Dr Bomer Pasaribu, Indonesia Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark and former Minister of Manpower, Indonesia, Frank Zach, DGB Germany, Steve Marshall, ILO, Dr Than Win, Director General Department of Labour Relations, Ministry of Labour, Myanmar and Daw Khaine Khaione Nwe, Secretary of Myanmar Garment Association and Joint General Secretary of UMFCCI.



The workshop participants were briefed by speakers about the positive impact of partnership industrial relations for sustainable growth and development of economy and society. UNI Apro speakers spoke about their experiences and the positive impact of the partnership between the trade unions and employers.



Since 2010, UNI Apro has been inviting representatives of the Ministry of Labour Myanmar, Trade Unions and Chamber of Commerce to its annual social dialogue conference organised in co-operation with the Asia Pacific regional office of the Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI), Public Services International (PSI). The annual social dialogue conference, supported by FES Germany is facilitated by the ASEAN Secretariat to promote the concept of partnership industrial relations in the ASEAN countries.



UNI Apro Regional Secretary, Christopher Ng pointed out that: “This workshop, the first of its kind to be organised in Myanmar, will facilitate the development of sound industrial relations and effective trade unions in Myanmar in the context of the new political environment. It is also important in establishing the basis for organising the workers under UNI’s jurisdiction, especially those companies represented by UNI affiliates. UNI Apro will work with the other GUFs in developing a practical and strategic approach to support the development of free and democratic trade union movement in Myanmar - a movement that will also contribute to a people first socio and economic development program in Myanmar.”