Myanmar continues to make strides in workers rights. Myanmar is known as a country with a bad record in human rights and workers rights. Still today there are many children employed in tea shops and factories as opposed to going to school. Many local companies still require their local staff to work 6 or 7 days a week with only 2 days a month off.
Recently on October 3rd , the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) announced that companies registered under the Myanmar Investment Law (2016) and holding MIC Permit or Endorsement shall comply with the following requirements:
1. Companies shall seek written approval from employees required to work overtime on a weekday (Monday to Friday); overtime work shall not exceed three (3) hours per weekday or five (5) hours on a Saturday.
2. For overtime work on a weekly rest day (Sunday) or a public holiday, companies shall seek written approval from the employee and an acknowledgement from the Workplace Coordination Committee.
3. No employee shall be required to work more than on one (1) weekly rest day (Sunday) within each four (4) week period.
These come on the heals of Myanmar being ranked in the top 20 improvers of ease of doing business. Myanmar still holds its no. 171 spot it held last year.
By- Charles Ryan Russell (CEO of Myanmar Business Answers)