On May 19, the Initiative to Promote Fundamental Labour Rights and Practices in Myanmar (the Initiative) concluded its first Stakeholder Forum in Yangon according to an official statement.
Over 200 participants, representing Labour, business, and civil society interests, as well as governments and international organizations, took part in two days of constructive discussions on Labour law reform, Labour disputes, child Labour, the minimum wage, capacity building, and other critical issues tied to Myanmar’s Labour sector.
United States Ambassador Derek Mitchell and the U.S. Department of State's Special Representative for International Labour Affairs Sarah Fox both participated in the forum, along with representatives from the U.S. Department of Labour and the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
The initiative was launched in November 2014 during President Obama’s visit to Myanmar, the Initiative is designed to improve Labour rights through the multi-year Labour reform plan, and foster strong relations among businesses, workers, Labour and civil society organizations, and the Government of Myanmar through a stakeholder consultative mechanism.