Myanmar Fact finding and future perspectives

A fact finding mission was undertaken by the DECP to Myanmar. The purpose of the three day mission was to meet with representatives from the The Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (UMFCCI) to discuss their possible membership of the ASEAN Confederation of Employers (ACE) and also to explore the possibilities of the DECP providing some further support as it develops its work on employment issues.

Discussions both with the Netherlands Embassy in Yangon and also with senior staff at the UMFCCI clearly indicated that the major changes that had taken place over the last few years within the country had meant that employers needed to ensure that the employers voice would be heard and that the UMFCCI had a key role to play.

In order to deal with these challenges the UMFCCI had established a specific department within its organisation dealing with employment issues. This department currently had some five members of staff. It was clear from discussions between the DECP and the UMFCCI that possible support at a technical level, if offered, would be welcomed.

It was agreed that the DECP would consider what possible support could be offered and would then discuss this further with the UMFCCI.