UNION Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population U Thein Swe said that his ministry has been working to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on workers and businesses as well as issuing citizenship scrutiny cards for workers.

The Union Minister made the remarks in the meeting with the Confederation of Trade Unions in Myanmar (CTUM), the Agriculture and Farmer Federation of Myanmar (AFFM-IUF), and the Myanmar Industries Craft & Services Trade Unions Federation (MICS-TUsF) held at Kanaung Hall in Hlinethaya Industrial Zone in Yangon Region yesterday morning.

The meeting was attended by Yangon Region Minister for Immigration and Human Resources Daw Moe Moe Su Kyi, Director General of Labour Department U Win Shein, officials from the department, CTUM Chairperson U Maung Maung, AFFM-IUF Chairperson U Zarni Thwe, MICS-TUsF General Secretary U Thet Hnin Aung and representatives from workers federations.

During the meeting, the Union Minister said that his ministry has been trying to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on job opportunities and workers by trying to maintain regular operations of the ministry. He pointed out that many factories had to be shut down or reduced number of workers because of several reasons including lack of raw materials and not receiving orders as the impact of COVID-19. Moreover, the country cannot send any laborers abroad amid the crisis. The Union Minister said that his ministry is taking necessary measures to resolve the issues. The ministry also carried out the tasks to set minimum wages, he said.

The Ministry has focused on stability of job opportunities, workplace safety, capacity development of workers, and promotion of foreign investments, said the Union Minister.

The Union Minister commended workers federations for providing emergency food assistance to their members, and following the COVID-19 preventive guidelines set by the Ministry of Health and Sports.

Speaking on issuing citizenship scrutiny cards to workers, the Union Minister said that under Thitsa Project, officers and staff from his ministry visited factories and issued the identity cards for the workers there so that the workers would not lose their voting rights. He said that the ministry is always monitoring the needs of employers and employees, and urged all to work collaboratively to overcome the challenges during the crisis.

CTUM Chairperson U Maung Maung then explained about various matters including workplace safety, social welfare for migrant workers, creating job opportunities, training, COVID-19 preventive measures and effectively resolving labour disputes. AFFM-IUF Chairperson U Zarni Thwe explained about his federation’s activities in the third quarter of this year. MICSTUsF General Secretary U Thet Hnin Aung discussed matters related to setting minimum wages, COVID-19 related measures, issuing identity cards and other related matters. Director General of Labour Department U Win Shein explained about the works done by his department.

Then, the Union Minister coordinated on matters and delivered a concluding speech.

MNA (Translated by Maung Maung Swe)