In a labour dispute, workers have destroyed the production line of a Chinese-owned factory named Hangzhou Hundred-Tex Garment (Myanmar) Company, one of H&M’s 40 suppliers in Myanmar.
Demanding better conditions and benefits, workers have been on strike for a month-long period. The damage would cost around US $ 75,000. It may be mentioned here that the dispute started with a strike in late January following the sacking of a local labour union leader. The conflict between workers and management is troublesome for the fashion retailer, which is widely seen as being at the forefront among large apparel companies in promoting workers’ rights and fair wages.
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“H&M Group is deeply concerned about the recent conflict and our business relationship with this factory is on hold at the moment. We are monitoring the situation closely and are in close dialogue with concerned parties. We strongly distance ourselves from all kind of violence,” as per the company’s statement. The retailer has also called on Governments in sourcing countries such as Cambodia and Bangladesh to ensure fair pay for workers.
