The first freely elected parliament of Myanmar in 50 years has held its opening session. Hundreds of new members of parliament (MPs) had taken their seats from November’s historic election. 80% of them are from the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and the rest are occupied by smaller parties. But a quarter of all seats are reserved for the military which also retains control of key ministries.
Labour legislation is common in many areas around the world, they provide some protection to labour. However, there are many swindlers in the world who exploit labour in different ways.
Continue reading Stop Labour Exploitation by Boycotting Oppressive Corporations
The Chinese New Year is one of the most anticipated festivals for children, because the elderly will give them red pockets for new-year blessings. No matter how naughty or shy the children are in the rest of the year, they will greet their parents and elderly to get a red pocket.
Continue reading We Wish a Fruitful Year for the Poor Families from Afar
The four-year crisis in Syria is devastating. Suffering includes not only the loss of lives and properties, ruined economy, but also crippling poverty impacts on the communities. Some aid organisations and policy experts reveal that at least every four out of five Syrians are in poverty, traditional humanitarian aid, while necessary, just isn’t enough.
The 8 November elections were a major waypoint in Myanmar’s transition from authoritarian rule. The victorious National League for Democracy (NLD) needs to identify key appointees wisely to prepare for taking power in March 2016. There are high expectations that NLD will deliver the needed political and economic changes. Success will depend on the cooperation between a new capable president and the armed forces. NLD’s limited experience of government, a shallow pool of skilled technocrats and the difficulty of reforming key institutions all constrain how much can be delivered quickly. Other hurdles include serious armed clashes in Shan and Kachin states, macro-economic turbulence, and grievances of the disenfranchised Muslim Rohingya.
It is not uncommon to see groups of foreign domestic helpers gathering at public area in Hong Kong every Sunday. Usually they will meet fellow countrymen on this day when they can take off from work.
There are over 300,000 foreign domestic helpers working in Hong Kong now, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, with a smaller number from Thailand and other places. They cook for Hong Kong families, take care of their elderly and children and do the housework. Most of them will wire transfer their salary back home to provide a better living to their own families in homeland.
Continue reading Be the Neighbour of Foreign Domestic Helpers
