YANGON: President U Min Aung Hlaing said that Myanmar is among the countries with the largest working population, and the large working population means that it possesses a good human resource base that is important for the country's development and economic growth.
He said this in his message on the occasion of International Workers' Day, on Friday (May 1).
He noted that Myanmar had been a member state of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) since May 18, 1948, and had been respecting and abiding by the fundamental principles and provisions of the ILO and protecting and promoting the rights of workers.
"Myanmar has been implementing projects in line with international employer and labour standards and existing laws, and has appointed an ILO liaison officer since 2002 to assist in efforts to eliminate forced labour."
The President said the ILO Liaison Officer based in Myanmar was cooperating with the ILO Liaison Officer, providing the ILO Liaison Officer with the necessary information and services, resolving complaints of forced labour through the National Forced Labour Complaints Mechanism in collaboration with the ILO, and independently organising employers' and workers' organisations at grassroots, township, region, state federations, and Myanmar National Affairs Organisations in accordance with ILO Convention 87.
"Myanmar is among the countries with the largest working population, and the large working population means that it possesses a good human resource base that is important for the country's development and high economic growth.
"For human resource development, seven Ministry of Labour Skill Training Schools, 22 accredited workplace-based training schools, and 26 NSSA-accredited training schools are offering skills training.
"Young people who successfully complete the skills training will improve their standard of living from the level of ordinary workers to high-value skilled workers with practical leadership skills in the workplace.
"These skilled workers are being issued skill certificates in accordance with the standards and specifications of the National Skill Standards Authority (NSSA). These certificates are certificates that help people work both domestically and abroad and earn wages in line with their skills and qualifications.," he said.
The President also stated that education is being encouraged and promoted to produce good human resources with knowledge and skills, and that education includes completing at least KG+9 and providing vocational education that will enable people to become experts in agriculture, livestock, and industry.
"The government is making effective use of the natural resources owned by the country, transforming agricultural and livestock products into value-added products by combining them with modern technologies, and encouraging and promoting local small, medium and large enterprises (MSMEs).
"The government is constantly working to improve the income of workers, create job opportunities, provide vocational training to acquire skilled workers, invite investment to increase labour-based manufacturing, provide foreign job opportunities, provide social security and other benefits to workers, improve workplace safety and health, and resolve labor disputes fairly."
He added that rural people, who constitute about 70 percent of the Myanmar population, are primarily engaged in agriculture and livestock activities. Therefore, through the development of the agricultural-based industrial sector, efforts must be made to develop micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to improve the socio-economic life of the people, promote the national economy, and replace foreign imports.
He said the state was organising skills competitions domestically with the aim of developing workforce skills, broadening knowledge of technical and vocational skills, and aligning job skill standards with international standards. It also provides opportunities for young people who win outstanding prizes in the competitions to compete in the Asean Skills Competitions held every two years.
"The state government will open basic vocational education courses for those who have successfully completed their military service and those who are out of school at the primary, secondary, and higher education levels."
The President urged the relevant ministries and organisations to take action to ensure that all citizens live happily and peacefully under the auspices of the state, and that Myanmar migrant workers who go abroad are subject to the laws of the countries they work in, and that some workers are subjected to unfair and oppressive treatment.
"It is better to work domestically than abroad, as there are opportunities for growth and development. Therefore, instead of going abroad, they should work domestically and all citizens should live happily and peacefully under the auspices of the state." - Eleven Media/ANN
