Freedom of Association
Database 2024

Freedom of Association
Indicator
Freedom of Association
Countries
LRI 2024
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Myanmar

Freedom of Association Indicator

The Labour Rights Index 2024 (LRI 2024) is a de-jure index covering 145 economies and structured around the working lifespan of a worker. In total, 46 questions or evaluation criteria are scored across 10 indicators. The overall score is calculated by taking the average of each indicator, with 100 being the highest possible score. The Index uses a rating system, ranging from “Total Lack of Decent Work” to “Decent Work”. The Labour Rights Index aims at an active contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, by providing necessary (complementary) insights into de jure provisions on issues covered in particular by SDG8 (Decent Jobs), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Strong Institutions). The Index is based on national labour legislation, applicable on 1 January 2024.

Myanmar’s overall score is 67.5 out of 100. The overall score for Myanmar is greater than the regional average observed across South East Asia (65). Within the South East Asian region, the highest score is observed for Viet Nam (77.5).

Myanmar ratified Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (1948) in 1955 but has not ratified Convention No. 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (1949).

Labour Rights Index 2024

67.5/100

LRI Country Score

75/100

Freedom of Association Indicator

1.00 %

Trade union density rate (%)

. %

Collective bargaining coverage rate (%)

5.15

SDG indicator 8.8.2

5+

ITUC Global Rights Index 2024 Ratings

Question

Answer

Score

Legal Basis

More Info

Does the law allow workers to form and join unions of their own choice?

Yes

1

§354(c), Constitution 2008; §2(h), 4, 9-11, 29 & 44(d), Labour Organisation Law 2011

A

Does the law allow workers to bargain collectively with employers through their representative unions?

Yes

1

§2,3,5 of the Settlement of Labour Disputes Law 2012

Does the law provide for the right to strike?

No

0

§2(g) & 38-50, Labour Organization Law 2011; §42, Settlement of Labour Disputes Law 2012

A

Does the law prohibit imposing of excessive sanctions against striking workers?

Yes

1

§44 of the Labour Organization Law 2011

Textual sources

A : National Law

National Labour Legislation

B : CEACR

CEACR: ILO Committee of Experts on Application of Conventions and Recommendations (latest report)

C : ITUC

ITUC: ITUC Global Rights Index

D : USDOS

USDOS: US Department of States' Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

LRI Country Score
The Labour Rights Index has 10 indicators and 46 sub-indicators. The LRI Country score averages 10 indicators and ranges between 0 and 100. The lowest and highest scorers are Nigeria (29/100) and Belgium/Greece (96/100). https://labourrightsindex.org/  

Freedom of Association Indicator
The Freedom of Association indicator is composed of 4 sub-indicators. Scoring is done through the binary method (0 or 1). The score ranges between 0-100. 

Trade union density rate (%)
The trade union density rate conveys the number of union members who are employees as a percentage of the total number of employees in the country. For updated statistics on trade union density, please check ILOSTAT. 

Collective bargaining coverage rate (%)
The collective bargaining coverage rate conveys the number of employees whose pay and/or conditions of employment are determined by one or more collective agreement(s) as a percentage of the total number of employees in the country. For updated statistics on collective bargaining coverage, please check ILOSTAT. 

SDG indicator 8.8.2
SDG indicator 8.8.2 measures national compliance with fundamental labour rights (freedom of association and collective bargaining or FACB). It ranges from 0 to 10, with 0 being the best possible score (indicating higher levels of compliance with FACB rights) and 10 the worst (indicating lower levels of compliance with FACB rights). It is based on six ILO supervisory body textual sources and national legislation.
For an updated assessment on SDG indicator 8.8.2, please check ILOSTAT. 

ITUC Global Rights Index 2024 Ratings
The ITUC Global Rights Index depicts the world’s worst countries for workers by rating 148 countries on a scale from 1 to 5+ on the degree of respect for workers’ rights. Violations are recorded each year from April to March.  For a detailed description of ratings and methodology, please follow the link. 

Information

Source: §354(c), Constitution 2008; §2(h), 4, 9-11, 29 & 44(d), Labour Organisation Law 2011

A : National Law

National Labour Legislation

"Section 4. In forming the various levels of labour organization to enable to carry out the interest ofthe workers and employers:(a) ⑴ Basic Labour Organizations may be formed by a minimum number of 30workers working in the relevant trade or activity according to the category oftrade or activity. If it is a trade or activity having less than 30 workers, it mayform so jointly with any other trade of the same nature;(ii) In so forming, it shall be recommended by not less than 10 percent of allworkers of the relevant trade or activity;"

Information

Source: §2,3,5 of the Settlement of Labour Disputes Law 2012

Information

Source: §2(g) & 38-50, Labour Organization Law 2011; §42, Settlement of Labour Disputes Law 2012

A : National Law

National Labour Legislation

"38. The labour organization desirous to go on strike in a public utility service shall, by the desire of the majority of the member workers. Section 41. The lock-out or strike shall be illegal lock-out or strike if it is involved with any of the followings; (a) being the following essential services, those whose interruption are liable to endanger the life, health or security of the people in any segment of the population: (i) water services; (ii) electricity services; (iii) fire services; (iv) health services; (v) telecommunications services. Explanation: A non-essential service may become an essential service if the strike affecting it exceeds a certain duration so as to give rise to damage which are irreversible or out of all proportion to the occupational interests of those involved in the dispute. (b) going on strike by labour organizations without permission of the relevant labour federation; (c) failing to inform in advance in accord with the provision of this Law in respect of lock-out or strike; (d) not being relevant to the labour affairs such as wages, salaries, welfare and working hours or other matters relating to the occupational interest of the workers; (e) the strike not being in conformity with the date, place, time, period, number of participants and manner as obtained permission in advance."

Information

Source: §44 of the Labour Organization Law 2011