YANGON, (ILO News) – Myanmar’s network of 91  Labour Exchange Offices (LEOs) across the country offer a range of services to workers seeking employment. With the opening of the Aung Lan and Loi Kaw Migrant Worker Resources centres , the ILO is now supporting a total of nine LEO based MRCs; ensuring that workers seeking jobs overseas can get up to date information and counselling before making a decision about migrating, and can seek support on migration protection.  Returning migrants can also get information about opportunities for vocational training, employment in Myanmar or possibilities of re-migrating. Migrants will also be able to lodge complaints in case of exploitation or violence and migrant women can receive counselling and referrals as needed.

In speeches at the launches, Daw Ni Ni Khaing, Aung Lan Township Officer, Department of Labour, noted  that the “Aung Lan MRC will have a special focus on making services accessible to women migrant workers, including tackling violence against women.”  U Tin Win, Kayah State Officer, Department of Labour said, “Loikaw MRC will be able to respond to situations where women face violence or harassment during the migration cycle”.

Ms Piyamal Pichaiwongse, ILO Deputy Liaison Officer, sent messages of congratulations to the MRCs saying “Your role in making migration safe and fair for all migrants and in particular women migrants will be important not only to the migrants and their families but also to the future of Myanmar.”

The Centres will not only provide information to migrants coming to the Centres but also will reach out to communities  to raise awareness about how to be fully prepared for the migration experience and thereby have a safer and more beneficial experience.

Under the joint ILO and UN Women Safe and Fair Programme, supported by the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, one more MRC will be opened in the coming weeks, in the Labour Exchange Office in Mohnyin, Kachin State.  Safe and Fair also supports the MRC in Hinthada, Ayeyawaddy Region.

Safe and Fair Programme is part of the Spotlight Initiative,  a global, multi-year partnership between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. Safe and Fair is implemented in partnership between the ILO and UN Women, in collaboration with UNODC.

For more information

Ms May Thu Ne Win
National Project Coordinator (NPC) for Safe & Fair Myanmar
winm@ilo.org