Federation of Trade Unions-Myanmar (FTUM) Women reorganizing meeting

1. Background - The Federation of Trade Unions-Myanmar (FTUM), formerly known as FTUB, was formed in 1991. It was based on Thailand. It is working to store democracy, human rights, social justice and trade unions in Myanmar. - Its congress was held on Mar, 2009 in Thai-Burma border. The congress guided to form FTUB Women committee and Youth committee within 6 months. The women representatives of congress formed a women committee (provisional). The committee has been given mandate to call the women congress. The provisional committee could not hold the congress within 6 months regarding to political situation and financial problem. Finally, FTUB Women congress was held on Dec, 2013 with the women representatives from Japan, India-Burma border, Thai-Burma border and Myanmar (representatives are from different regions). The representatives are from agriculture sector, industrial sector, construction sector, Education sector, Hotel and restaurant sector, and FTUM staffs (from Admin, Trade Union Rights and Humin Righs, database department). Some representatives from unions which are using their ethnic name (Migrant Karen Labour Union, Naga Labour Union, Federation of Trade Unions Chin). The legal experts were also invited to the congress.

Background - Women congress was held with the following - A-i) To promote coordination within FTUB women member A-ii) To discuss for the future plans to build up Burmese women's capacities, efficiencies and to protect their rights. A-iii) To elect the executive committee to lead FTUB women committee. Women committee have worked for its work plan during 2012 such as trainings (Trade Union Rights trainings and vocational trainings) for the Migrant workers and workers form inside Myanmar. In 2012 September, FTUB had a great opportunity to return to Myanmar and to work for its work plan inside Myanmar freely (Organizing, trainings, Legal services, consultation meetings, etc....). FTUM women committee members also moved to Myanmar and work with the FTUM work plan. - Now FTUM have more member unions and needed to extend its Executive board and central committee members. At the same time, Women committee also need to reform to have wider representatives and implement its work plan with the all women member.

2) Goal of women organizing meeting (2.1) To promote women members to become Trade Union leaders (2.2) To promote women's capacities, efficiencies (2.3) To protect their rights (2.4) To build strong cooperation and coordination within women

3) Objectives of holding women reorganizing meeting (3.1) To promote coordination within FTUM women (3.2) To review the future plans of women committee (3.3) To elect more women committee members to have more representative form member union.

4) Time Frame Within 2013 July. Estimate date 6-7 July, 2013

5) Activities (5.1) Meeting within the women committee and make decision to hold the meeting and prepare (5.2) To find financial support for the meeting (5.3) Planning Agenda (what should we discuss in the meeting) Eg- - Submitting Women committee background, - Reporting the country report/ situation of the unions/ women participation in union by representatives, - Discussion the situation of each regions/unions, reviewing Women committee work plan and election some committee members, etc....) (5.4) Sending invitation letter and agenda to Unions to prepare (5.5) Will invite legal advisor(s) (5.6) Prepare for the meeting (photo copy, logistic (food, acommodation and others) (5.7) Holding meeting

6) Target group (6.1) The women representatives from 107 member unions (6.2) The lawyers (6.3) FTUM EC member(s) The observers from labor unions which are working together with FTUM

7) Responsibilities Ms. Khaing Zar Aung, the Secretary of the Women Committee-FTUM is a responsible person for the reorganizing meeting to implement the activities and to facilitate the meeting. Email - ftubwomensec@yahoo.com khaingzarag@gmail.com Phone - +95 94 2025 2025

8) Resources (8.1) 107 members unions (8.2) Meeting Place (8.3) FTUM Women committee

9) Expected out come (9.1) More representatives in Women committee (9.2) To understand overall situation of the member unions and different regions (9.3) Begin Close coordination and building solidarity within women members

10. Reporting and Accountability The secretary of the women committee has responsibility for the narrative report and financial report of the reorganizing meeting. She is accountable to the women committee and FTUM exective committee.

11. Estimate Budget.

Thank you….