Labour rights awareness remains low among Arakan State’s workers: activists

By DMG 28 Jul 2022

DMG Newsroom
27 July 2022, Sittwe

Arakan State workers’ awareness about labour law and labour rights is still weaker than that of most of mainland Myanmar, according to labour advocacy organisations.

“Awareness about labour rights is still low in Arakan State. This is due to the lack of employment opportunities and political instability in Arakan State. And the workers in Arakan State still have difficulties in demanding their rights,” said Daw Mra Thuzar, an official from a labour support centre in Sittwe.

Training courses on labour issues in Arakan State are being conducted in order to solve workers’ problems and better address their needs. However, due to a lack of employment opportunities in Arakan State, many workers are said to be afraid of losing their jobs and are thus reluctant to express their grievances.

Because awareness regarding the rights of employers and workers is weak in Arakan State, a labour law awareness seminar was held in Sittwe on Sunday.

“This seminar is about mutual discussion with employers, and knowledge of the law. Some employers know about labour laws and rights, but there are others who need to know,” Ko Phyo Thu, a labour activist from the Wan Lark Rural Development Foundation, told DMG. “This discussion aims to build more understanding between employers and employees.”

The Wan Lark Rural Development Foundation organised the event at River Valley Hall in the Arakan State capital Sittwe on July 24.

The Wan Lark Rural Development Foundation will continue to monitor violations of labour rights in Arakan State, as well as gathering information and raising awareness through campaigning, he added.

Ko Aung Than Htoo, manager of Sittwe’s Wati Soe Food and Consumer Goods Distribution, said awareness seminars like the one that took place over the weekend were a good thing, and could lead to better relations between employers and workers.

“I think holding discussions about labour rights like this will reduce problems between employers and workers, and improve business operations,” he added.

The event was attended by more than 30 entrepreneurs and social organisations in Sittwe.