Myanmar Railway Project Success

A UnionAID funded project in Myanmar has, over the past 5 years built a national railway workers’ federation with 2,200 members and 15 unions across the country, despite difficult conditions and opposition from management in some areas. The new union has also delivered health and safety and skills (welding) training to hundreds of members.

As its strength has grown so too has its influence with 900 casual workers being taken on as permanent workers, and union representatives being appointed to promotion and other Myanmar Railways Boards.

The men and women working on Myanmar’s trains and in the engineering yards still face a range of daily challenges.  The workplace can be dangerous and most workers have no access to insurance to support them and their families if they are injured.  Pay remains low and overtime rates are pitiful if paid at all.

The union members aim to tackle these issues over the next few years with UnionAID’s support.