Myanmar Govt. Ushers Labor Reforms In Garment Industry

Trade & Policy

Myanmar Govt. Ushers Labor Reforms In Garment Industry

Myanmar is in for labor reforms in its garment sector after a long lease of life to its manufacturers to ply it the way they preferred. The Myanmar government’s ministry of labor, immigration and population stepped in from the shadows and issued a set of guidelines that will make sure that the safety and health of garment workers does not get compromised in any way. “This will go a long way in enhancing the conditions and welfare of our huge garment workforce,” disclosed a ministry official.

In a ceremony held to launch the guidelines, the Union labor minister U Thein Swe informed the media, “I would like to urge you to use these guidelines practically for the safety and health of workers in factories.”

The guidelines came up as a combined effort of the Labour Ministry, Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA), the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM), Myanmar infrastructure, Craft and Services (MICS) and the Agriculture and Farmers Federation of Myanmar with technical support from the government of Denmark.

The garment sector is the recipient of this labor relief measures because it happens to be one of the crucial industries that contributes to economic development of Myanmar. Needless to say, the sector is the provider of many employment opportunities for the workers in the country.

The main features that are included in the guidelines deal with issues like safety in handling of electric equipment and machines as well as chemicals. These paraphernalia are commonly used in garment factories. The guidelines also help prevent accidents in the workplace.