Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Myanmar (Ratification: 1955)

With reference to its previous observations, the Committee takes note of the Government's report as well as the written and oral information provided to the Conference Committee in June 1992 and the detailed discussion which took place there.

During that discussion of the trade union monopoly established by virtue of sections 2 and 6(b) of Regulation No. 5 of 1976, the Government referred to the current drafting of new labour legislation which would reflect the changes occurring in the country, namely the redrafting of the Constitution as a basis for a multi-party democratic system and the country's commitment to a market-oriented economy. The Conference Committee urged the Government to introduce legislation as soon as possible which would lift the legislative restrictions contained in the 1976 Regulation on the freedom of workers to be members of unions of their own choosing. The Government's report also states that the new Constitution is to be drawn up on the basis of guidelines to be adopted at the representative National Convention in January 1993.

In view of these legislative activities in the country, the Committee asks the Government to ensure that the principles of freedom of association are enshrined in the new legislation so that workers can establish first-level unions, federations and confederations of their own choosing and choose an appropriate structure without previous authorization, in conformity with Articles 2, 5 and 6 of the Convention. It trusts that the Government's next report will be able to note progress in this direction.