Migrant workers in the garment factories of Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia are reportedly facing state oppression and exploitation by their employers. As per the report from charity War on Want, the western fashion brands sourcing from the south-east Asian factories includes Zara, H&M, Gap, Marks & Spencer, Levis Strauss, Timberland and Benetton, Nike, Puma and Reebok. The export-oriented manufacturing industries in these regions heavily rely on the migrant labour, which makes it difficult for workers to get protection or support when they try to exercise their rights against exploitation.
Further the report claims, that where young women migrants from rural areas represent almost 90% of garment workers in Cambodia working in 10-hour shifts and earning about 20p an hour, the Burmese migrant workers in Thailand receive just GBP1.40 for 10-11 hours of work, which accounts to be less than half the minimum wage. Also the working conditions of the manufacturing units remain to be a matter of concern, as they are often overcrowded and unsanitary.
