After the coup on 1 February, the situation in the Asian country is precipitating, with dozens of deaths every day among the protesters – The clothing companies that produce locally are deciding how to act
by Giulia Crivelli
After the coup on 1 February, the situation in the Asian country is precipitating, with dozens of deaths every day among the protesters – The clothing companies that produce locally are deciding how to act
3 ‘of reading
It has been a month and a half since the coup that brought the military back to power in Myanmar, who placed Aung San Su Ki, president under house arrest until the day of the coup, which took place on 1 February last, and the main architect of the democratic turn of the Country. Since then, pro-democracy protesters have taken to the streets every day and protests have spread from the capital Rangoon to every city in the country: the reactions of the police have become increasingly violent and – although it is difficult to have complete information, given the blackout of the internet and the ban on entry to the foreign press – dozens of deaths are recorded every day. In the almost indifference of the world, perhaps still too concentrated in the fight against Covid. Thus, the individual companies that have relations with Myanmar begin to move, where many clothing brands have relocated part of their production (in the photo above, a factory in Myanmar at the time of Covid).
Benetton’s clear stance
Benetton Group moved first as early as Friday 12 March e suspended all new orders from Myanmar with immediate effect, citing the coup d’état and subsequent demonstrations as motivation. “We wish to express our deepest concern for what is happening in Myanmar”, wrote the Venetian group in a note, adding that new orders have been suspended given “the situation presents such problems of security and violation of rights and freedoms”. ” Benetton Group has become the standard-bearer, in all the markets in which it operates, of fundamental values such as inclusiveness, integration, non-violence – stated Massimo Renon, CEO of Benetton Group -. We cannot fail to contribute to their respect as a company and we intend to do our part. We will suspend orders from the country to give a strong and concrete signal ». “Our hope is that the situation will return to guarantee, as soon as possible, the fundamental rights of people and that the Group can resume that path of support for local populations that also passes through the work and dignity connected to it”, Renon added.
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Ovs’ choice
Today is the position taken by Ovs, the main Italian clothing chain, present in Myanmar with some productions, which – also reads in a note in this case – is monitoring the developments of the situation in the country and “in order to take a stand in support of working conditions in Myanmar, has decided to sign the appeal launched by Clean Clothes and many other international NGOs and trade unions (trade unions) ”.
«Given the modest amount of production currently made, Ovs could easily leave the country, however, as long as it is possible, it will continue to maintain an albeit limited presence in Myanmar, suspending any activity with those suppliers who carry out discriminatory acts against workers engaged in protest actions – the note continues -. Ovs has always placed the respect and protection of people’s rights , ethics and transparency at the heart of its activities.
Clean Clothes’s analysis and appeal
As mentioned a few days ago by Elena Paparelli on Other Economy , Clean Clothes is a global network made up of more than 230 NGOs and trade unions active in 45 countries, which to protect workers’ wages during the pandemic has made a global campaign also addressing companies such as H&M, Primark and Nike. And which is now focusing on the critical spiral in which Myanmar is plunging. “Myanmar’s apparel and footwear is a $ 6 billion, mostly foreign-owned industry, which especially in the last ten years has experienced decisive growth in the country, also thanks to the low cost of the workforce, making Europe its main market. And whose future, however, appears uncertain today – writes Elena Paparelli -. The position of garment workers in Myanmar is likely to be increasingly critical. Even before the coup, it was the pandemic, between wage cuts and layoffs, that dealt a severe blow to the sector, which before the crisis in the country employed more than 700,000 people, mainly women ”.