A new set of health and safety guidelines have been prepared by Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA), Labour Ministry, Myanmar Infrastructure, Craft and Services (MICS), Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) and Agriculture and Farmers Federation of Myanmar. The same was presented recently at a show by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population in Myanmar.
Notably, the Government of Denmark extended its technical support in framing the guidelines.
Suggestions on how to safely handle electric equipment and machines as well as chemicals and ways to prevent accidents have been included in the guidelines.
Labour Union Minister U Thein Swe urged the garment industry to practically implement these guidelines for the improvement and welfare of the workforce employed at various manufacturing factories in the country.
The garment industry, the largest job provider in the country, has a vital role to play in the economic development of Myanmar.
Garment factories in Myanmar currently offer employment to around half a million workers which is expected to go up by around 1.5 million workers by 2020. The Government is focussing on garment industry in view of the expected investments of up to US $ 10 billion in the time to come.
However, accidents and diseases have collectively claimed lives of many employed in factories, reveals the International Labour Organisation. Understanding the same, U Kyaw Win, MGMA Vice President echoed: “Sustainable development of garment industry is our moto.”
Notably, Myanmar reported a strong year in garment exports during the seven-month period from April-November in 2017. During this period, Myanmar shipped garment products worth US $ 1.5 billion.
Earlier this year, Myanmar also announced a 33 per cent hike in the minimum wage for garment workers of the country. The new minimum wage is now 4,800 kyats/day, effective March 2018.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
