PPDP ILO & H&M Improving labor relations in Myanmar garment industry

The ILO, in collaboration with the clothing company H&M designed a project proposal aimed at improving industrial relations in order to contribute to decent work and sustainable development in Myanmar's garment industry. The project is proposed to be implemented over two years and be financed by Sida and H&M, while ILO is the implementing organization. IF Metall will also contribute in implementation. The project aims to contribute to improved working conditions, and “decent work” by strengthening the capacity for sound social dialogue between employers and employees, which is expected to lead to continuous improvements in areas of interest to both parties, including improved awareness of women's reproductive health. Employers’ and workers’ associations will be trained in labour rights, including gender equality, health issues, and their responsibilities in relation to the trade unions. The project will strengthen workers' organizations and trade unions at the factory and sector levels to effectively provide services to, and represent its members. The project also aims at strengthening gender equality, and empowerment of women garment workers to participate in democratic organizations such as trade unions and employers' organizations. The project plans to develop an integrated strategy for these purposes during a first initial phase of the project. At the factory level: The project will work with employers and workers in factories, including but not limited to the suppliers to H&M. Training will be conducted to increase awareness of social dialogue, with the goal of developing an agreement on rules on employment conditions that can include collective bargaining, workplace cooperation and mechanisms for complaints. Appointment and training of officers for "Occupational Health and Safety" will take place. Employees and employers will also be trained specifically in gender equality and women's health and safety. At sectoral level: The project will help employers’ and workers’ respective associations to develop a common vision for sound industrial relations in the sector. This includes a range of capacity building efforts, including basic skills in negotiation and dialogue, arbitration and collective bargaining. In addition, the Project will build capacity of the social partners’ secretariats in order for them to represent and provide relevant service to members. For example, the Project will develop the capacity of Myanmar's employers' association for the garment industry to provide membership support, including issues related to women workers’ health and safety. This will also include sexual and reproductive health and maternal health, as well as rights issues in a broader perspective as to ensure that female workers can commute safely between the workplace and their homes, work against discrimination and violence in the workplace, and to promote equal pay for equal work. The project starts with an initial planning phase of six months. This includes a survey of the situation regarding industrial relations and working conditions in the sector and in each factory involved in the project, including the status of social dialogue, wages, collective bargaining, gender equality and women's needs regarding health. The studies and consultations provide a basis for updating the results framework and the activity plan. The ILO is responsible for implementing the Project in collaboration with H&M that will help to introduce the management of the factories they source from to be involved in the project. IF Metall and their global partners IndustryAll will assist in trainings.