August 9 (NMG) As second conference of Burmese Seafarers Union also called as “Ocean Manias” concluded on August 7 in Bangkok, the secretary-elect U Ko Ko Khaing said the Union determined to get more job opportunities for Burmese sailors.

A total of 27 delegates from Burma both in exile and abroad along with Japanese secretary of International Transport Trade Unions (Asia-Pacific) Shikedowata and Indian regional deputy secretary Mahindra Sharma also attended the conference.

Among the conference delegates, a sailor from Mandalay who do not want to be named humbly said “Seafarer Union in exile helps the sailors especially from Burma and it protects whatever they can such as compensation for the sailors, ITS-related problems and for their sailor’s rights.”

“In Burma, there is regulation to show the sailor identity card issued by the government at the airport in order to go abroad and it is a disappointing for us. Even when we faced some minor problems due to various reasons, government-sponsored Union could not able to help us effectively. Only this exile union is giving real helping hand for the sailors as you can see their records and figures,” he added by comparing government-sponsored union and the union in exile.

The conference chose a six-member committee headed by chairman U Aung Thura to lead the Union for this coming period.

The conference also made a statement for 8888 anniversary day.

Burmese Seafarer Union (a) “Ocean Manias” was established in January 1991 and the first conference held in November 1994.

Network Media Group