Workers Protest Labour Dispute Law in Mandalay

The Federation of Trade Unions Myanmar headed a protest of some 600 workers in Mandalay on Sunday, calling for amendments to the 2012 Settlement of Labor Dispute Law, which, they say, completely favours employers.

Some 600 union members marched around two industrial zones in the outskirts of the city, according to the union’s information officer Thet Hnin Aung. […]

20 Injured in Clash with Police at Closed Korean factory

About 20 former employees of the now defunct Master Sports footwear factory were injured during a standoff with police after they held an official captive at the facility on Tuesday.

A group of workers came to the Rangoon factory on 16 September to negotiate with representatives of the Department of Labour, which was tasked with carrying out an August court ruling that the workers should receive compensation for sudden dismissal […]

Gold Miners Claim Victory After Demands Granted

More than a thousand gold miners called off a weeks-long protest on Thursday after their demands to restart work were granted by their parent company.

“The company agreed to 95 percent of our demands. Finally we achieved what we deserve and will call off the protest and will leave the area late this evening,” said Than Lwin, one of the miners […]

Protests Demanding Increased Power Supply Illustrates Burma’s Unpreparedness for Influx of Foreign Investment

Last week saw various inspiring actions bravely undertaken by the people against injustice and the government’s irresponsibility in fulfilling their daily needs such as electricity. There were actions against land confiscations, low wages, violations of labor rights, and, largest of all, against the significant shortage of power in various areas across Burma.

During the past few weeks there have been worker strikes in as many as 20 different factories. These include the 25 people on hunger strike that continued into its second day on Saturday at Yangon Crown Steel factory in Hmawbi, Yangon Division, where almost 400 workers have been on strike since May 20. Despite the number of worker strikes, only a few have had successful negotiations with factory owners. Many have suggested that this is due to the lack of a government policy outlining a minimum wage and laws that protect the rights of workers. This is a reminder again of how the government is unprepared to accommodate foreign investment and manage the type of development it will bring […]

Demanding Stipulation of Minimum Wage Suited to Times

1. At present both the SPDC military regime and the USDP parliament are trying to attract massive amounts of foreign investment to enter Burma. Even now business firms from neighboring and regional countries are taking positions to enter Burma […]