Occupational safety and health

Supporting the Improvement of the Legal and Institutional Framework on Occupational Safety and Health in Myanmar

This project aims to contribute to better, safer and healthier working conditions in Myanmar.

Myanmar started its transition towards a more democratic and open market economy when a new government took office in March 2011.

However, a long period of seclusion and isolation coupled with internal conflict and poor governmental efficiency means Myanmar still has a long way to go to meet regional and international standards in social, economic and legal development. There is a great need to improve occupational safety and health (OSH) at work places and in work situations, to create decent work for all workers.

Although no specific data exist it is believed that millions of workers in Myanmar are exposed to unsafe and unhealthy work every day, potentially endangering their lives and livelihoods and affecting the well-being and prosperity of their households and families. It is also widely recognized that protecting workers’ health and safety is vital for sustainable enterprise development.

Project objective

Building on ILO’s engagement in Myanmar over the past decade and taking into account the most recent developments in the country, this project aims to contribute to better, safer and healthier working conditions in Myanmar through a three-tiered approach: supporting an enabling institutional and legal framework in line with international standards, strengthening the capacity of institutions to promote OSH and conduct OSH/labour inspection and improving the data collection and analysis of occupational accidents and diseases.

Since the project is of a modest scale it will primarily complement and build synergies with existing or on-going initiatives, such as the formulation of the OSH Law (and its corresponding implementing rules and regulations) as well as building up the capacity of the authorities and the inspection system. Cooperation and coordination with other ILO projects and the broader ILO portfolio in the country will be an indispensable part of the project.

Main activities

  • Provide further technical assistance to the drafting, implementation and enforcement of the OSH Law, and associated laws, rules, regulations and policies.
  • Conduct tripartite consultations to discuss issues related to the OSH Law and its implementation.
  • Prepare promotional materials on OSH-related issues and facilitate dissemination through appropriate media.
  • Undertake an analysis of the gaps between the legal framework and relevant International Labour Standards.
  • Develop and adapt training materials and conduct a series of training and capacity building sessions for labour inspectors on OSH and management.
  • Develop and test checklists and other tools and procedures for labour inspection, in consultation with the social partners.
  • Develop competency standards for OSH inspectors and outline future training curricula for inspectors based on the competency standards.
  • Provide technical advice on the design of the capacity building strategy for OSH authorities and inspectors.
  • Support meetings and consultations between FGLLID and the social partners.
  • Conduct training for officials on the analysis of reported accidents and diseases and updating of the existing list of occupational diseases.
  • Design and implement effective strategies to prevent accidents and diseases through reference to the Labour Force Survey.
  • Discuss better coordination of different units on the issue of prevention and mitigation of work-related accidents and diseases.

Main outcomes

1. Finalize the OSH Law, the OSH-related Factories Act and Shops and Establishments Act, and OSH policy, in consultation with the social partners, to reflect the relevant core principles of International Labour Standards.
  • The draft OSH Law is prepared and ready for submission to the Parliament.
  • A selected number of draft regulations, rules and other legal documents have been prepared.
  • A draft implementation and enforcement strategy for the new OSH Law, a draft structure for implementing its sub-regulations and decrees, and a draft OSH policy has been formulated and prepared after consultation with the social partners, and ready for endorsement by FGLLID/MOLES.
2. Strengthen the capacity of the OSH authority, including FGLLID and its inspection system, to implement, advise on and enforce the OSH legal framework.
  • The capacity of FGLLID to advise on and enforce OSH provisions in the laws and regulations has increased and the acquired skills are used in practice.
  • A capacity building strategy for FGLLID managers and staff prepared.
  • OSH inspection is using new or updated tools such as checklists, better accident investigation methods etc.
3. Develop a road map to improve the reporting and collection of data on occupational accidents, in consultation with the social partners including MOLES, and conduct the subsequent analysis and dissemination of the data.
  • Studies concerning the existing and possible future system, and a road map for the expansion and implementation of an effective reporting system for occupational accidents and diseases outlined in consultation with the social partners and ready for endorsement by MOLES and other relevant Ministries.
  • An updated national list of occupational diseases discussed with social partners and other relevant government agencies.

Target beneficiaries

  • The direct beneficiaries are policy makers, managers, legal advisers, technical staff and, labour inspectors. The ultimate beneficiaries are employers and workers in Myanmar.

Partners

The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MOLES), Factories and General Labour Law Inspection Department (FGLLID), and other Government agencies, employers’ and workers’ organizations, the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) ASEAN OSHNET and other development partners active in the field of OSH in Myanmar.