The government, employers and workers unite in a tripartite drive to build a skilled workforce and expand employment opportunities.
PRESIDENT of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Agga Maha Thray Sithu Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma U Min Aung Hlaing sent a message to the ceremony to mark International Workers’ Day which falls on 1 May 2026. The full text of the translated message is as follows: -
Esteemed workers,
International Workers’ Day is a historic and significant occasion that honours the value of labour of workers around the world, including those in Myanmar; a day on which fair and appropriate working hours are recognized; and a milestone in the history of the global labour movement. On this auspicious day, I extend my warm and respectful greetings, wishing all workers across the nation fulfilment of blessings and prosperity, and good health and physical and mental well-being.
International Workers’ Day has been commemorated worldwide yearly since 1 May 1890. Myanmar has also held annual ceremonies to recognize and honour the contributions of both blue and white collar workers, and this year marks the 88th such observance.
The development of a country depends on increased productivity and improved service quality. Therefore, the government would first like to respectfully express its recognition and honour for the workforce, which plays a key role in creating high-quality products.
Esteemed workers,
Myanmar became a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on 18 May 1948. From then on, Myanmar has been protecting and uplifting the rights of workers while following the basic principles and provisions of the ILO.
Myanmar has been implementing work plans in line with existing laws to meet international employer and employee standards. In order to support efforts to eliminate forced labour, an ILO liaison officer has been accepted and appointed since 2002.
In Myanmar, cooperation is being carried out with the ILO liaison officer based in the country, and the necessary information and support are being provided to the ILO liaison office. Complaints related to forced labour are being resolved in collaboration with the ILO through a national-level complaints mechanism. In addition, employer and employee organizations are being allowed to be freely formed in accordance with ILO Convention 87, from basic-level groups to township, region/state federations, and up to national-level organizations.
Esteemed workers,
Myanmar is among the countries with a large working-age population, and this abundance of employable people constitutes a strong human resource base that is essential for national development and economic growth.
In order to develop human resources, skills training courses are being conducted at seven skills training schools under the Ministry of Labour, 22 accredited workplace-based training centres that have been granted official registration certificates, and 26 training schools recognized by the National Skills Standards Authority (NSSA) of Myanmar.
Young people who complete skills training courses will advance from the level of unskilled labourers to become high-value skilled workers capable of taking practical leadership roles in the workplace, thereby improving their standard of living.
The National Skills Standards Authority (NSSA) issues competency certificates in accord with the standards to skilled workers. These certificates serve as recognized credentials that support their ability to work both domestically and abroad, and to receive wages commensurate with their skills and qualifications.
Efforts are being made to promote and enhance education in order to nurture a strong human resource base equipped with knowledge and skills. Upon completing at least the KG+9 level in the education system, vocational training is also provided to enable individuals to become skilled in agriculture, livestock breeding, and industrial fields.
The Government is making efforts to effectively deploy the country’s natural resources and to enhance agricultural and livestock products through the integration of modern technologies, transforming them into value-added products. It is also promoting domestic micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). In addition, measures are being implemented to increase workers’ incomes, create employment opportunities, provide skills training programmes to produce skilled workers, attract investments to expand labour-intensive production industries, and support access to overseas employment opportunities. The government is also working to ensure workers receive social security and other benefits, improve occupational safety and health standards, and fairly resolve labour disputes. These efforts are being carried out continuously with the interests of workers in focus.
The rural people, amounting to some 70 per cent of the total population of Myanmar, are engaging in agriculture and livestock activities. Hence, it is necessary to strive for the development of MSME businesses so as to improve the socioeconomic lives of the people, boost the State economy and manage substitution for imported goods through the development of the industrial sector based on agriculture and livestock farming activities.
Esteemed workers,
The Government is conducting domestic skills competitions with the aim of developing the skills of the workforce, promoting widespread knowledge of technical and vocational competencies, and ensuring that occupational skill standards can keep pace with international benchmarks. Outstanding young participants who win awards in these competitions are also being prepared and supported to participate in the ASEAN Skills Competition, which is held once every two years.
The Government will implement basic vocational training programmes for those who have faithfully completed their public military service duties, as well as for individuals who are out of school at the primary, middle, and high school levels. It will also provide opportunities for those who have entered the workforce with incomplete education to continue their studies and return to the formal education pathway. In this regard, arrangements will be made to enable a transition from workplace skills development back into the education system.
Myanmar migrant workers who go abroad for employment are required to live under the laws of the countries where they work, and it is known that some workers face unfair treatment and oppression. Rather than going abroad for work, there are already opportunities for prosperity and development by working within the country, where there is greater security in life. Therefore, instead of seeking employment overseas, I would like to urge that people work within the country so that all citizens can live peacefully and happily under the protection of the State, and relevant ministries and organizations are encouraged to facilitate this.
To ensure safe migration and mobility, Complaint Mechanism Centres have been established in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon to receive and address the difficulties faced by Myanmar workers employed both domestically and abroad in labour-related matters. In addition, complaints are also received and handled through relevant embassies, agencies, Migrant Workers Resource Centres, media outlets, and social organizations. Labour attachés have been appointed in countries where a large number of Myanmar workers are employed, including the Republic of Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia, and efforts are made to resolve their difficulties in coordination with the respective host countries.
Workers, who are the country’s main productive force, are able to enjoy greater social security and healthcare services. By increasing public trust in the social security system, productivity can be improved, which in turn significantly contributes to the national economy. With this objective, workers’ hospitals, social security clinics, departmental clinics, traditional medicine clinics, mobile medical units, as well as contracted clinics have been established to provide healthcare services to insured workers.
Inspections and enforcement are being carried out in accordance with labour laws to ensure that workers are able to work in safe and healthy workplaces, and that they receive fair wages based on their skills and efforts, as well as equal rights in the workplace.
In addition, efforts to eliminate child labour have been carried out through fiveyear plans since 2019, with the industrial manufacturing sector and the trade and commerce sector designated as priority areas for implementation. School dropouts who enter the workforce prematurely reduce the number of knowledgeable and skilled professionals needed for the country’s future. Therefore, it is urged that everyone cooperate and participate in efforts to eliminate child labour.
In conclusion, the role of the workforce remains highly significant in efforts for the development of an industry based on agriculture and livestock to the improvement of the socioeconomic lives of all citizens, including workers, and to enabling people to live in peace and well-being while meeting the basic needs of the public. For this purpose, the Government, employers, and workers are cooperating through a tripartite approach to develop a skilled labour force and to create more employment opportunities. In honour of International Workers’ Day, I send this message, urging that workers contribute actively to the development of the nation and work hand in hand with the Government with energy and dedication.
Agga Maha Thray Sithu Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma U Min Aung Hlaing
President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
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