unemployment rate of 4% for workers age 10 and over; 3.9% for over 15s; and 4% for ages 15-64. The Census reports a labour force participation rate of 57% for those aged 10 and over; 64.4% of those 15 and over; and 67% of those aged 15 – 64. 440 Underemployment in Myanmar was 37% in 2010, affecting rural and urban areas, poor and non-poor, male and female alike, and young people in particular. 441 To improve the quality of statistical data on labour, the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, with International Labour Organisation (ILO) support, is undertaking a comprehensive national labour force survey, 442 with results expected in late 2015. The lack of reliable statistics and accurate data hold true for the ICT industry workforce. According to the General Secretary of the Myanmar Computer Federation, Myanmar has an estimated 1,600 software engineers, 1,000 network engineers, including those working in the telecom companies and about 1,000 service technicians, including handset repair technicians. No statistics on fibre installation or tower construction workers are available. It is also estimated that by 2025, Myanmar will have 25,000 engineers. Currently, there are 26 Computer Universities in Myanmar. There is no existing data on the employment rate of ICT university graduates. The development of the ICT industry has led to a dramatic increase in jobs in the sector. According to a survey conducted by work.com.mm, an online job search company, during the month of April 2015, the highest number of job announcements was in the field of engineering, followed by the software and IT sector. 443 There is however a mismatch between demand and the quality of supply, a consequence of poor quality ICT education. There are many ICT graduates, but few who are qualified, and those there are often leave Myanmar for better work opportunities abroad. As to the international telecom operators, Ooredoo currently has around 1,000 employees of whom 87% are Myanmar nationals (41% male/59% female). Ooredoo has committed to the Government to employ 99% Myanmar nationals within 5 years. Telenor Myanmar currently has 478 employees (64% male/36% female) of whom 80% are Myanmar nationals. There are no statistics on the number of people working as SIM card and phone vendors at points of sale, but operators have set targets: Ooredoo promises 240,000 SIM card sale points and 720,000 top-up locations; Telenor aims for 70,000 SIM card sale points and 95,000 top-up locations. ILO Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work: Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining in Myanmar For the first time in 50 years, the 2008 Constitution and new labour laws provide for independent trade union activity, though some gaps in protecting freedom of association remain. The 2011 Labour Organisation Law permits the exercise of freedom of association and the 2012 Settlement of Labour Dispute Law provides for disputes resolution institutions and mechanisms. Parliament amended the latter law in October 2014 providing for inter alia increased fines for employers who break this law, but rejected 440 The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, “2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census, Census Report Volume 2-A“ (May 2015). 441 Underemployment refers to people who worked or had a job during the reference week but were willing and available to work more. ILO, “Underemployment Statistics” (last accessed August 2015). 442 ILO, “Myanmar sign agreement on National Labour Force Summary”, (14 November 2013). The survey is intended to inform national labour policy and will examine youth employment, child labour, forced labour, and social security. 443 Internet Journal, “The top job in the field of telecommunications services” (15 May 2015) (Burmese). CHAPTER 4.6: LABOUR 191 4 4.6