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| According to the 1998/99 estimates, the population of
Myanmar was 47.25 million. Of that figure, 33.3% were below 14 years of age,
59% were between 15 and 59 years of age and 7.65% were over 60 years of age.
Also at that year the population of the cities of Yangon and Mandalay were 4
million and 0.7 million respectively. Myanmar has a high literacy rate, so its
labour force is fairly well-trained. Every year, more than 30,000 students
graduate from schools and academic institutions of higher learning, and about
80,000 trainees from vocational training schools. Most of them are proficient
in Myanmar and English.
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| Procedures to recruit workers are simple and
straightforward. A private enterprise wanting to employ five or more workers
should apply on the prescribed form to the Township Labour Office which will
prepare a list of candidates meeting the personnel specifications. The workers
will be selected by the employer from the list. To assist foreign employers
comply with Myanmar's labour law, the Department of Labour can examine
employment contracts and work rules and advise accordingly. Employers can also
recruit through employment agencies or directly through advertisements.
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| In private enterprises, wages and
salaries are negotiated between the employer and employees. A factory worker
can earn from about K2,000 to K3,000 a month, depending on his skill level.
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| Workers in a private enterprise are
granted the following leaves and holidays' 6 days casual leave, 30 days medical
leave, 10 days earned leave, and 21 public holidays in a year with wages. In
addition, women workers in private enterprises covered by the Social Security
Act 1954 are granted maternity leave with paid wages.
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| The Social Security Act 1954
stipulates that private enterprises employing more than five workers must
contribute two percent of their insured wages to a social security fund. Apart
from free medical care, workers covered under the Act are entitled to cash
sickness benefit, cash maternity benefit, funeral grants, temporary disability
benefit, permanent disability benefit and survivors' pension.
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Typical working hours are as follows:
Shops, companies, trading centres , service
enterprises, and entertainment houses 8 hrs a day, 48 hrs a week Factories, oil
fields, and mines 8 hrs a day, 44 hrs a week Factories engaged in continuous
process 48 hrs a week d. In underground mines 8 hrs a day, 40 hrs a week.
The Workmen's Compensation Act stipulates for
compensation to be paid by the employer if a worker not covered by the Social
Security Act 1954 suffers injury resulting in temporary or permanent disability
or death in the course of performing his duties.
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| Labour administration is the
responsibility of the Ministry of Labour. Departments under the Ministry of
Labour include: (1) Department of Labour, (2) Social Security Board, (3)
Central Inland Freight Handling committee, (4) Factories and General Labour
Laws Department, and (5) Central Trade Disputes Committee.
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| Amongst others, the major functions
performed by this department include conducting negotiations and conciliations
in cases of dispute between employers and employees; providing employment
services through its 78 township offices; providing overseas employment
services; researching and reviewing labour laws; and maintaining manpower
statistics.
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| The Social Security Board
administers the Social Security Scheme established pursuant to the Social
Security Act.
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Factories and General Labour Laws Department
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This department researches, monitors, and enforce
safety and health standards in factories. Its inspectors are authorised to fine
employers who breach minimum safety and health standards, and who commit other
transgressions such is not complying with trade disputes awards, or not
remitting social security contributions. Apart from enforcement, the department
also disseminates industrial safely information and provides consultancy
services. The Labour Laws
The major labour laws currently enforced in Myanmar are as follows:
| - Employment Restriction Act. 1959
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| - Employment Statistics Act. 1948
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| - Employment and Training Act. i950
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| - Factories Act. 1 951
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| - Minimum Wages Act, t949
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| - Payment of Wages Act. 1936
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| - Shops and Establishments Act, 1951
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| - Social Security Act. 1954
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| - The Leave and Holidays Act. 1951
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| - Trade Disputes Act, 1929
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| In addition, Myanmar has also ratified numerous International
Labour Organisation Conventions.
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Settlement of Trade Disputes
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| The Ministry of Labour has set up an effective
machinery for the settlement of trade disputes. Any disputes between an
employer and a worker is first brought to the attention of the Township Workers
Supervisory Committee for possible conciliation. If conciliation fails, the
matter will be referred to the Township Trade Disputes Committee (TDC) for
arbitration. If the award made by the TDC is not accepted by one of the
parties, an appeal can be filed to the Trade Disputes Appeal Committee. The
Trade Disputes Appeal Committee may uphold reverse or vary the terms of the
award. If the decision of the Trade Disputes Appeal Committee is not acceptable
to one of the parties, a final level of arbitration can be sought from the
Central Trade Disputes Committee. Here. the decision is final.
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Legal & General Consideration
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More Info:
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Religious
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12 Months' Festivals
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References
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Travel & Tour
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