Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) have simultaneously released statements in support of the Myanmar Government’s proposed minimum daily wage of 3,600 kyat (US $ 3) per day. Both the associations claim to have the support from 17 major international retailers including Adidas, Gap, Tesco, H&M and Patagonia. In separate letters to Myanmar’s Labour Ministry, the ETI and FLA urged the Government to resist a request for an exemption to the minimum wage from the country’s garment manufacturers. The statements issued by the labour watchdogs stressed that the higher wages will not dissuade foreign investors. Rather such a development will attract more foreign investment as the suggested minimum wage level will be an exhibit of commitment to upholding international labour rights standards in their global supply chains.
