About Us
Independent Federation of Myanmar Seafarers (IFOMS)
Although there are about 100,000 registered seafarers in Myanmar, seafarers serving on board are about 30,000 in reality. Most of Myanmar seafarers are serving with low wages and unsecure work-place having no rights under the international standard. Some crooked crewing agents are exploiting the seafarers taking chances of rare job opportunities in Myanmar. To protect those bad situations, some Myanmar seafarers organized and founded the Independent Federation of Myanmar Seafarers (IFOMS) on 3rd June, 2014.
The purpose of the federation is:
- To protect the rights of seafarers
- To get the safety working condition
- To get full rights with compensation
- To promote job opportunities
IFOMS had got certificate of Ministry of Labour in Myanmar on 27th February, 2015. IFOMS’s first congress was held at Chatrium Hotel on 30th and 31st March, 2015 and participants chose the General Secretary and other Executive members respectively.
Key Executive Members:
- U Aung Kyaw Linn (General Secretary)
- U Nyunt Way (Assistant General Secretary)
- U Zaw Aung (President)
- U Saw Maw Si (Vice President)
- U Aun Ku (Treasurer)
- U Hla Myo Oo (Executive member)
- U Ye Kyaw Thu (Executive member)
- U Lu Aung (Executive member)
- U Kyaw Lwin latt (Executive member)
U Shwe Tun Aung who wholeheartedly supported IFOMS is a Myanmar citizen and ITF Inspector. He is known among Myanmar seafarers as a person who is eager to help. He is not only a very helpful person for Myanmar seafarers but he is also one of the founders of IFOMS. The political situation in Myanmar changed slightly in December 2012 and U Shwe Tun Aung provided a lot of support in establishing a genuine union, including support from:
- Mr. Stephen Cotton (General Secretary ITF)
- Ms. Jacqueline Smith (Maritime Coordinator ITF)
- Mr. Jon Whitlow (Secretary Seafarers, Fisheries & Inland Navigation ITF)
- Mr. Steve Trowsdale (Inspectorate Coordinator ITF)
- Mr. John Wood (FOC Campaign Advisor ITF)
- Mr. Kam Soon Huat (General Secretary SOS)
- Mr. Mark Davis (Deputy Regional Secretary Asia/Pacific Region ITF)
- Mr. Lee Cash (Maritime Union Development Programme Supervisor ITF)
- Mr. Kevin Verma (Auditor ITF)
- Ms. Evelin Tomson (Assistant Strategy Implementation Team ITF)
- Mr. Peter Lahay (Coordinator Canada ITF)
- Mr. Dean Summers (Coordinator Australia ITF)
- Mr. Johnny Hansen (President Norwegian Seafarers’ Union)
- Mr. Torben Seebold (Head of Docker section Maritime Coordinator ITF Germany)
- Mr. Yoshihiro Shimmi (All Japan Seamen’s Union)
U Shwe Tun Aung gave several trainings such as Trade Union knowledge trainings, management trainings and case handling trainings for IFOMS Executive members before IFOMS got its official certificate. Skilful persons from the ITF are giving necessary trainings after the union received its certificate.
“Fighting together for your rights, Stand with IFOMS”