The European Trade Union and the global labour federation IndustriAll urged the EU to stop supporting Myanmar’s garment sector, which helps finance the military junta.
The 3-million-euro Multi-Stakeholder Alliance for Decent Employment in the Myanmar Apparel Industry (MADE in Myanmar), which will run from December 2022 to December 2026, is currently being funded by the EU.
In addition to enhancing communication between employers, employees, and international stakeholders, the project improves workers’ access to effective grievance channels at the plant and industry level. Additionally, it supports industry-best practises for social compliance, environmental management, and occupational health and safety.
Following the recent arrests of workers connected to the MADE in Myanmar initiative, the international trade union issued its request.
After demonstrating for a wage increase of 38 US cents per day, five union officials at a Chinese-owned textile factory in Yangon that manufactures clothing for international labels Zara and Pull & Bear were detained last month, along with two labour rights activists from the NGO Action Labour Rights and a union supporter. The military government has accused them of violating the severe prison sentences associated with the Sedition Law and Unlawful Association Act.
According to IndustriAll, the labour rights NGO is collaborating with the EU, brands located in the EU, and the MADE in Myanmar project.
The MADE project is unable to shield labour activists from the military regime, according to the international labour federation, who claimed that freedom of association is no longer viable in Myanmar.
According to the federation, the presence of EU companies in Myanmar helps to perpetuate the military rule and make it easier for it to buy fuel, weapons, and ammunition. Over the past year, the garment sector in Myanmar earned US $ 4.7 billion in foreign currency.
