Garment factory workers in Myanmar were fired and arrested after demanding a wage increase equivalent to about 500 Korean won. The global brand that receives clothing from the factory announced its intention to sever ties and withdraw.
Myanmar workers working at a garment factory in Yangon [Photo source=Captured from Myanmar Now website]
According to a report on the 29th by the local Myanmar media outlet The Irrawaddy, workers at a Chinese-owned garment factory in Yangon held a protest on the 10th demanding their daily wage be raised from 4,800 kyat (about 3,000 won) to 5,600 kyat (about 3,500 won), an increase of 800 kyat (about 500 won). The factory is known to supply clothing to global fast fashion brands such as Zara.
Seven workers, including five union leaders who led the protest, were dismissed, and eight were arrested. The arrested workers were charged with incitement and violating the Unlawful Association Act, facing the risk of imprisonment.
Myanmar labor organizations strongly criticized the unjust suppression of workers' legitimate labor disputes. The group Action Labor Rights stated, “The workers did not make any political demands. It was purely a labor dispute,” and questioned, “Why does the military regime accuse them of political crimes and protect employers who violate their rights?”
The European Union (EU) delegation dispatched to Myanmar also expressed concern on the 20th about the detained workers due to the labor dispute and the welfare of the Myanmar garment industry sector, demanding their immediate release and reinstatement.
Following this incident, Inditex, the Spanish fashion group and parent company of Zara, decided to stop sourcing garments from the factory and stated, “We are striving to gradually and responsibly withdraw from Myanmar.”
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