All forms of forced labour should be eliminated once and for all for enhancing the eternal principles which are justice, freedom and equality

NAY PYI TAW, 1 May-The following is the full text of the message sent by President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Agga Maha Thayay Sithu, Agga Maha Thiri Thuddhamma U Thein Sein on the occasion of May Day:-

Esteemed workers,

May I extend my warmest regards to you the entire workers of the country who are striving for national economic development within your intellectual and physical capacities and industriousness through might and main in building a modern, developed democratic nation and wish you all physical and spiritual well-being on May Day, 1st May 2012.

Today is an especial day and indeed remarkably meaningful for the workers of Myanmar as May Day is being celebrated nationwide this year to honour the workers like in many other countries that observe this special occasion on 1st May.

To have a decent work for every one is a fundamental objective of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar that is implementing the Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation task by setting up (8) work programmes. To realize the said objective, efforts are being made for ensuring rapid flow of domestic and foreign investments into the country. As the number of factories, industrial estates, industrial zones and special economic zones, small and medium enterprises and regional business is increasing, the labour market that could create more job opportunities and establish sustainable professions emerges. The work efficiency promotion policy has also been adopted as it is crucially important for the productivity of a country.

Currently, the Government is focusing on ensuring rights based on Social Justice for entire workers. So, the Government enacted Law, rules and regulations and permitted the formation of independent labour organizations to protect the rights of workers, to foster better relations among workers and between employers and workers.

Moreover, a new Social Security Law which could provide more social protection including the right of medical care, cash benefit, free medical care after retirement, family assistance, superannuation pension benefit and unemployment benefit, invalidity benefit, employment injury benefit, funeral benefit, survivor’s benefit and benefits of social security housing project has been drafted.

Our elected government has been in the office for over a year and it is high time we should eliminate all forms of forced labour once and for all for the enhancing the eternal principles of justice, liberty, equality in the Union. Forced or compulsory labour shall mean all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily.

Therefore, the process of eradicating forced labour in Myanmar has been accelerated and International Labour Organization and the government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar have launched a Joint Strategy for the absolute elimination of forced labour in Myanmar by 2015.

Esteemed workers,

In conclusion, I would like to urge all the workers and workers’ organizations, employers’ and employers’ organizations to work together with the Union Government in unity having a strong determination in building a modern, developed democratic nation.

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