After two years of often acrimonious debate From September 1, Myanmar has set a minimum wage of 3,600 kyat (US $2.80) for an eight-hour work day. The current daily minimum wage is 3,000 kyats (US $2.59). The step is expected to boost investment in the fast-growing country’s garment industry as well as motivation for workers. It did not mention overtime compensation. Buyers like H&M, Gap have pushed for creation of a minimum wage. Now Myanmar’s minimum monthly pay would be around $67 a month, based on a six-day work week, giving it a competitive advantage over thriving garment makers such as Vietnam and Cambodia where the monthly minimum wage ranges from $90 to $128. It is also being said that the approved wage would apply to workers across all sectors, but exclude small and family-run businesses that employ fewer than 15 people.
According to the Global Trade Atlas, Myanmar exported US $1.5 billion of apparels and materials in 2014, up from US $1.2 billion the previous year.
