REintegration through Active Labour Market reforms

Project summary

Prioritizing an inclusive growth agenda, the Government of Myanmar is highlighting a well-functioning and sufficiently regulated labour market as a key element for success. It has thereforeset in motion a myriad of labour market initiatives with the intention to improve the dynamism of the labour market. Little is, however, known about the potential consequences of these recent reform initiatives both in terms of overall job-creation, the formal/informal sector divide, and the potential consequences for the vulnerable and poor. The REALM project seeks to initiate a process to help fill this knowledge gap, and to provide relevant stakeholders access to research-based evidence that can help shape and re-design policies.

REALM stands on two legs. First, it consists of a rigorous quantitative data component seeking new knowledge, both in terms of academia and policy, on the impact of social security provision and skills certified worker training on labour dynamics. REALM, moreover, looks at the impact of the recent changes to the minimum wage law by studying its impact on wage inequality and changes in sectoral composition. Second, REALM will rely on a strong capacity building component, with a focus on training-of-trainers (TOT) within the areas of the work packages of the research component. Through such a setup, research generated knowledge generated will naturally flow to relevant institutions, government think-tanks, and other relevant research and policy oriented bodies.