Improving Labour Relations for Decent Work and Sustainable Development in the Myanmar Garment Industry

The International Labour Organization (ILO) implemented the “Improving labour relations for decent work and sustainable development in the Myanmar garment industry” project, also known as ILO-GIP. This case study explores the key findings and insights from this project, which aimed to improve labor relations, social dialogue, and gender equality in the garment industry with a focus on empowering women.

Training Programs

The ILO-GIP project conducted a 45-hour training program for workers, covering industrial skills and labour laws. The participants found the training useful but had some suggestions for improvement:

• The training was considered “too short” by some participants.
• There was a desire for more practical skills like cutting and sewing to be included in the training.
• Some participants suggested using scenario-based roleplays to engage learners in the topic of labor law.

Labor Law Awareness Raising

Two-hour awareness raising sessions were conducted for workers, covering labor laws and rights. The participants found these sessions useful but had difficulty understanding some legal terms and concepts:

• Participants appreciated the awareness raising sessions but had trouble grasping some legal terms.
• It was recommended that factory management receive further training or printed materials on labor rights to support resolution of issues like casual leave and overtime.

Impact and Outcomes

The project helped improve negotiations between workers and employers, reducing conflict. Workers developed better communication skills and self-confidence after participating in the training:

• The project improved negotiations between workers and employers.
• Participants expressed a desire for more training and suggested that government and trade unions should provide additional support to resolve ongoing issues like casual leave entitlements and refusal of overtime.

Recommendations

To build on the success of the ILO-GIP project, consider the following recommendations:

• Expand access to training programs and benefits.
• Provide further training or printed materials on labor rights for factory management.
• Continue to develop scenario-based roleplays and other engaging learning activities for workers.
• Support resolution of ongoing issues through government and trade union action.

The case study highlights the importance of improving labor relations and social dialogue in the garment industry to promote decent work and sustainable development. It suggests that training programs and awareness raising initiatives can be effective in empowering workers and promoting positive change.