• Burmese
Thursday, November 30, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Western Markets ‘Will Promote Worker Rights’

by May Lay
August 31, 2012
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Western Markets ‘Will Promote Worker Rights’

Workers tailor and arrange clothing at a factory at Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone in Rangoon. (Photo: Reuters)

2.8k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

RANGOON—The return of Western markets for Burma’s once-booming garment industry can help safeguard worker rights, claims an industry expert.

While the United States and Europe were always vigilant in ensuring workplace practices were up to scratch, Burma’s post-sanctions biggest export market of Japan only cared about the quality of items being delivered, said Myanmar Garment Association (MGA) Chairman Myint Soe.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar IDPs Stranded by Junta Troops in Northern Shan State Face a Long Walk Home

Myanmar IDPs Stranded by Junta Troops in Northern Shan State Face a Long Walk Home

November 30, 2023
817
Myanmar Junta Relying on Airstrikes in Loikaw Fighting: Resistance

Myanmar Junta Relying on Airstrikes in Loikaw Fighting: Resistance

November 30, 2023
448
Myanmar Junta Plays Up ‘Strong’ China Ties a Week After Anti-Beijing Protests

Myanmar Junta Plays Up ‘Strong’ China Ties a Week After Anti-Beijing Protests

November 30, 2023
669

“US garment firms are very concerned with labor rights. Normally, US garment companies check the working environment of factories and other labor suppliers before they give the green light for trade,” he told a press conference held by the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).

“After US sanctions began, the MGA met with the former military government and we agreed to implement a ‘Look East’ policy. Therefore, we tried to work closely with Japan, which is very strict on the quality of items from Burma.

“But they are not concerned with labors rights,” he added. “They are only concerned with the items delivered. They did not accept even one wrong button. Therefore, we have to monitor our workers very strictly.”

In 2000, the garment industry in Burma was booming with 54 percent of orders from the United States and 37 percent from Europe. Garment exports in 2001 reached a record US $829 million compared with $770 million in 2011, according to official MGA data.

“We tried to survive after the US sanctions started in 2003. The US had more than 50 percent of the Burmese garment market-share and they would order more than 100,000 items of a single design,” said Myint Soe.

Despite the Japanese market accounting for the largest current share of Burma’s garment exports—$348 million in 2011 and $183 million in 2010—it does not hold the potential of the West, said Myint Soe. Japanese garment companies only generally order 3,000-4,000 items per design, he added.

“We will try to get back to the US market and get the GSP [Generalized System of Preferences] from Europe for low tax,” he said. “Our government is undergoing the political and economic reform. Our neighbors in Asia such as Bangladesh, Cambodia and Laos get a good chance to export to Western and Europe market. Why can’t we?”

The European Union and World Trade Organization GSP reduces tariffs for developing nations, but Burma was removed from the scheme due to its poor record on worker rights, particularly forced labor. But the nation’s re-admittance to full membership of the International Labor Organization on June 14 has paved the way for a resumption of the GSP.

“To compete with our neighbors, we also need the supporting infrastructure such as electricity supply and transportation,” added Myint Soe.

Garment factory owners decided to outline their concerns to the media for the first time despite industry bosses largely refusing to talk to journalists during worker strikes and protests earlier in the year.

Textile workers from Rangoon’s Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone demanded a wage hike and other labor rights including setting up workers’ associations. As a result, factory owners agreed to improve their basic pay and provide medical care, daily meals, overtime and holidays.

Although industry bosses initially agreed to their demands, some then reneged on the deal prompting further protests and industrial action.

“Actually, the garment factory pays 10 to 15 percent of total costs on sewing fees,” said Sandar, who owns three garment factories. “And according to our geographical situation, we are so far from Malaysia and Singapore where we buy the raw materials, as well as from South Korea and Japan where we send the finished product.”

After US sanctions, most skilled Burmese laborers went to other countries where there were developed garment industries such as Thailand. As the local garment industries could not offer a good salary, workers would only stay for three or four months to learn the trade before moving abroad, said Khine Khine New, joint-secretary of the UMFCCI.

“We have asked the government to extend working hours to 28 hours for a week as we have to export items on time,” added Sandar.

According to MGA data for July 2012, more than 85,000 workers are currently employed in the Burmese garment industry.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: More
Previous Post

US Urges China to Protect Kachin Refugees

Next Post

China Denies UN Access to Returning Refugees

May Lay

May Lay

Similar Picks:

Freelance Photographer Released After Three-Day Detention

Freelance Photographer Released After Three-Day Detention

March 2, 2015
12.1k
Migrants’ Hopes and Fears in Little Burma

Migrants’ Hopes and Fears in Little Burma

July 16, 2016
10.2k
Girl Who Accused Employer of Rape Faces Charges of Theft

Girl Who Accused Employer of Rape Faces Charges of Theft

February 26, 2013
13k
ABSDF Report Finds Torture

ABSDF Report Finds Torture, Leaves Questions in Killing of Its Own

March 16, 2015
6k
‘Twilight Over Burma’ Tells Tragic Tale of Austrian Shan Princess

‘Twilight Over Burma’ Tells Tragic Tale of Austrian Shan Princess

May 30, 2016
11k
A Story of Modern Slavery in Thailand

A Story of Modern Slavery in Thailand

August 21, 2015
5.8k
Load More
Next Post
China Denies UN Access to Returning Refugees

China Denies UN Access to Returning Refugees

Blacklisted from Burma’s Reform

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Echoes of 2017 Genocide as Myanmar Junta Imposes ‘Four Cuts’ on Rakhine

Echoes of 2017 Genocide as Myanmar Junta Imposes ‘Four Cuts’ on Rakhine

1 week ago
7.1k
Illusion of Myanmar Military’s Indispensability Has Been Shattered

Illusion of Myanmar Military’s Indispensability Has Been Shattered

2 days ago
4.9k

Most Read

  • Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

    Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Chief Says ‘Foreign Experts’ Helping in Offensive Against Military

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Force Sagaing Resistance Retreat

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • FACT CHECK: Exposing the Myanmar Junta’s Lies on Operation 1027 

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.