SMOU called for a celebration for its Myanmar members at Sule Shangri-la, Yangon, on 30 November 2019. More than 500 guests, comprising government officials, Independent Federation of Myanmar Seafarers (IFOMS) and ITF officials, shipping partners from Singapore and Myanmar, SMOU Executive Committee members, and participants from the inaugural Wavelink Officers Seminar, attended the event. The celebration was graced by the Guest of Honor, Her Excellency Ms Vanessa Chan, Singapore Ambassador to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

NTUC President and SMOU General Secretary Mary Liew, at her opening address, welcomed the guests and shared the union’s various efforts in championing Myanmar seafarers’ interest and welfare. “More than 900 Myanmar members have claimed their Seafarers’ Provident Fund (SPF), amounting to more than US$1 million,” she added, reminding members who had yet to claim their SPF to do so.