Myanmar delegation applauds EFC for being proactive in maintaining industrial relations

The delegation at the ILO country office

A delegation representing the Union of Myanmar Federation of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) was here on a three-day study tour which was concluded recently. The tour was an initiative under the ‘Strengthening the Capacity of Employers’ Organizations Project’ of the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities – ACT EMP.

The delegation comprised two ILO officials from the ILO Yangon Office and four officials from the UMFCCI. The UMFCCI established a separate department as an employer organisation early this year and the purpose of the study tour was to enable the officers attached to such department of the UMFCCI to understand how an Employer Organization (EO) functions.

During the visit, the delegation was given an introduction to the activities of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), its membership strength and the broad spectrum of services provided by it, including representative services, HR and legal solutions and training. It also enabled insights into EFC’s Employers’ Network on Disability and its new initiatives such as the Employers’ National Network of Youth Initiatives (ENNYI) project. “The objective was to give them a holistic perspective of how an EO works and evolves, by catering to the requirements of its membership,” remarked EFC CEO Kanishka Weerasinghe. 

The delegation also met a senior President of a Labour Tribunal and observed its proceedings. In addition, the delegates also met Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya General Secretary Leslie Devendra, Ministry of Labour Secretary Gotabaya Jayaratne and ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives Donglin Li.  

The series of meetings provided a window to the evolution of Sri Lanka’s industrial relations, bringing under the spotlight the distinct role played by key stakeholders, particularly the EFC, in this process. All representatives of these key institutions acknowledged and appreciated the catalytic role played by the EFC in promoting healthy industrial relations among diverse stakeholders. The meetings also formed a platform to discuss rights and duties of employees. 

Whilst acknowledging the independence enjoyed by all stakeholders in relation to tripartite negotiations and other related matters, the delegates made special observations of the autonomy stakeholders enjoy in industrial relations matters. 

The observations the delegation took back home are promised to be a learning experience at a time when Myanmar is striving for political stability and to champion a culture of mutual respect in the sphere of employment and unionism. Jared Bissinger, Project Coordinator for the ILO project on Developing the Capacity of Employer Organizations in Myanmar stated, “I hope they can also be more conversant with what a mature employer organisation is all about – it is not a zero-sum interaction with labour, but instead a dialogue to find mutually acceptable solutions.”