Labour violations on the rise in Myanmar’s garment industry

Garment workers in Myanmar are grappling with widespread forced and child labour, nearly four years on from the 2021 military coup.

According to the IndustriALL global trade union, garment workers are being put through worsening working conditions in garment factories, overtime without compensation, excessive production targets and illegal hiring of minors.

In a statement issued on its website, the trade union highlighted that workers in the sector face unpaid overtime, wage delays and unexpectedly high production quotas. Multiple reports of underage workers being employed have also emerged, violating labour regulations. 

Detailing a case at a factory, IndustriALL revealed workers received a daily wage of 10,000 Kyat ($4.70) and were forced to do overnight shifts without proper pay and medical and social security benefits.

Even as the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM) has voiced its concern over the excessive overtime and difficult work targets for garment workers, there has been no solution. Since the coup, the CTUM revealed that workers have been denied any legal protections as well.

Previously, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) identified several indicators of forced labour in Myanmar’s garment industry, including physical violence, fraud, intimidation and threats, delayed wages, and forced overtime.

In another incident, at least 13 workers were fired and two were assaulted when around 500 workers at Charis Sculpture factory went on strike for decent wages and paid overtime.

Taking note of these violations, the ILO has also paused technical assistance and excluded Myanmar’s military junta from its governing body meetings.

“Brands that stay in Myanmar are benefiting from an environment of fear, forced labour, and exploitation. There are widespread, comprehensive reports on the extensive violations of workers’ rights and there is no freedom of association in the country. Human rights due diligence requires worker involvement and independent verification, which is impossible under the military rule,” IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie said, as per reports.

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