In the world of fashion, there’s something exciting and fancy about it all. But there’s also a sad side that many don’t see — the way some clothing companies treat their workers in places like Myanmar. How people there are pushed into terrible situations, like being forced into sex work, when big brands leave and leave behind a lot of pain and sadness.
Among the numerous clothing brands that previously operated in Myanmar, one name stands out — let’s call it “GarbGlow.” GarbGlow was a well-known multinational corporation celebrated for its fashionable designs and affordable clothing ranges. With factories spread throughout Myanmar, it provided employment to thousands of workers, promising fair pay and satisfactory working conditions. For many, GarbGlow wasn’t just a place of work but a source of hope, offering an opportunity to escape poverty and strive for a better life.
However, as political unrest swept across Myanmar, GarbGlow, along with several other prominent clothing brands, made a controversial decision — to halt operations in the country. Citing concerns about political instability and human rights violations, these corporations swiftly withdrew, leaving their employees stranded and facing extreme poverty.
We’re looking into a serious issue happening in Myanmar. Big clothing brands like H&M, Zara, and Uniqlo leaving has caused big problems for the workers there. As factories change owners and working conditions get worse, some workers are forced into doing sex work just to survive. It’s a sad situation that needs attention and action to make things better for these workers.
Several well-known brands cherished by Australian consumers, such as H&M, Zara, and Uniqlo, are among those departing.
The factory underwent a change in ownership from Japanese to Chinese, and as production shifted towards manufacturing garments, including casual wear for the German sports brand Jako, working conditions began to worsen.
As the workforce struggled to meet heightened production quotas, management resorted to enforcing mandatory overtime, sometimes even locking the factory doors to compel employees to continue working. A worker, who previously earned 5,800 Myanmar kyat ($4.22) per day, revealed that deductions were now being made from their pay for sick days taken. Additionally, they were coerced into working overtime without compensation to fulfill the demanding targets set by the factories, effectively denying them their rights.
In 2023, a total of 208 complaints against Myanmar factories, impacting thousands of workers, were documented by the organization. Concurrently, Action Labour Rights, a union based in Myanmar, recorded 387 instances of labor disputes within the same year, with unfair dismissals and violations of overtime regulations emerging as the predominant grievances.
This pattern of exploitation mirrors findings from a previous report by Action Labour Rights, which shed light on incidents where workers were apprehended for advocating for wage increases at a factory that supplied products to companies like Zara. Furthermore, there were reports of military personnel intervening in protests before they could even begin.
In response to these troubling developments, Inditex, the parent company of Zara, promptly took action by suspending production at the implicated factory, effectively preventing their suppliers from conducting business with it. Several months later, Inditex made the decisive move to cease all sourcing activities from Myanmar entirely.
In all the chaos, a group of sex workers in Myanmar who also have HIV noticed that more garment workers were turning to sex work after they lost their jobs because the factories closed down
In the middle of all the confusion, a group of sex workers with HIV in Myanmar noticed that more garment workers were turning to sex work after their factories closed.
The sudden shutdown of GarbGlow factories had devastating consequences for its employees beyond mere unemployment; it stripped them of their means of sustenance and, in some instances, their sense of self-worth. Deprived of alternative sources of income, many teetered on the edge of destitution, grappling with the challenge of putting food on their tables and roofs over their heads.
In the midst of this dire situation, a grim reality surfaced: a growing number of garment workers, predominantly women, felt compelled to resort to sex work as a last resort for survival. Bereft of a stable income, they became easy prey for exploitation, thrust into the margins of society where their bodies were commodified and traded for meager sums of money.
The NGO’s report mentioned, “We’re worried about the growing number of cases where garment workers who turned to sex work face violence and discrimination. It’s made worse because there aren’t enough rules to protect them, and they don’t earn enough to support their families or pay for medical help.”
The former president of the Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar, Khaing Zar Aung, revealed that she regularly talks to big fast fashion brands to help workers get paid for overtime or if their wages are unfairly kept back.
She says just watching from far away and depending on Chinese-owned companies in Myanmar, without any staff there, is not enough for fashion brands.
Unlike other activists, Khaing Zar Aung supports the idea of big brands leaving Myanmar. She thinks the working conditions are so bad that it’s like slavery. Even if workers ask for more pay, it’s still not enough to live a decent life.
The withdrawal of prominent fashion brands from Myanmar exposes the grim challenges confronting garment workers. Individuals such as Khaing Zar Aung bring attention to the ongoing exploitation and inadequate pay within the industry. With brands leaving, there arises a pressing need for comprehensive reform, emphasizing ethical sourcing and equitable treatment of workers. It’s imperative that the fashion sector prioritizes human rights above financial gains, and consumers hold significant power in demanding transparency. Together, we must endeavor towards a future where all garment workers are afforded dignity and justice.
