IndustriALL Global Union file OECD complaints against fashion brands over labour rights violations in Myanmar

IndustriALL, together with banned Myanmar unions CTUM and IWFM, have filed complaints against three brands, Next, New Yorker and LPP, at OECD's National Contact Points in four countries: the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. The complaints are over the companies' breach of OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, which call for, among other things, companies to operate ethically and responsibly regarding human and labour rights.

"Brands that stay in Myanmar are benefiting from an environment of fear, forced labour, and exploitation. There are widespread, comprehensive reports on the extensive violations of workers' rights and there is no freedom of association in the country. Human rights due diligence requires worker involvement and independent verification, which is impossible under the military rule,"

says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie.

The textile and garment industry has become an important way for the country's military rulers to inject foreign money into a collapsing economy. Meanwhile, Myanmar's military junta has banned unions and arrested union leaders. There is no freedom of association; unions and other workers' organizations can't function. There are reports of forced labour, workers' rights violations, increased precarious work and collapsing wages. A tracker developed by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre monitors abuse in Myanmar's garment industry. 556 cases of alleged labour and human rights violations at 266 factories linked to international brands were documented by the end of June this year.

"We have been urging multinational companies to exit from Myanmar as their existence contributes to the severe violations of human rights and labour rights in the country. The brands pretend they comply with the OECD guidelines and human rights due diligence, which is impossible under a military dictatorship. Industrial zones are under martial law and the right to freedom of association is banned. The ILO's Commission of Inquiry investigated and confirmed the severe violations of freedom of association and forced labour in Myanmar, and yet companies continue their business and ignore international guidelines and ILO conventions,"

says IWFM president Khaing Zar Aung.

IndustriALL is campaigning for brands to safely disinvest from the country. In 2022, discussions between IndustriALL and several garment brands operating in Myanmar concluded with a Framework Principles of a Brand's Responsible Business Disengagement from Myanmar, outlining a responsible exit from the country. Primark, New Look, Inditex, H&M, Lidl and Fast Retailing have followed this agreement.

"There is significant evidence of systemic violations of workers' rights and brands that remain in Myanmar cannot claim ignorance of the abuses. The largest global brands have already left the country - brands that stay prioritize profits over human and workers' rights. We are considering filing further complaints regarding other brands that remain,"

says Atle Høie.