How have worker rights in Myanmar deteriorated since the 2021 coup?

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Worker Rights Deterioration in Myanmar Post-2021 Coup

Worker rights in Myanmar have significantly deteriorated since the military coup in February 2021, as evidenced by a substantial increase in reported labor abuse cases. From February 2022 to February 2023, a UK-based human rights advocacy group documented 156 alleged instances of worker abuses in Myanmar's garment factories, a marked rise from the 56 cases recorded in the preceding year. This trend points to a worsening environment for garment workers, with specific allegations focusing on financial exploitation and unfair working conditions.
Rise in Alleged Labor Abuses

The period following the February 2021 military coup has seen a sharp escalation in reported worker rights violations within Myanmar's garment sector. The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) tracked 156 alleged abuses between February 2022 and February 2023, a threefold increase compared to the 56 cases from the previous year. These cases encompass a range of issues across 124 different factories, highlighting a systemic decline in labor protections across the industry.
Predominant Forms of Exploitation

Wage-related issues have emerged as the most common allegations of worker mistreatment. Wage reduction and wage theft were reported most frequently, indicating widespread financial exploitation of the workforce. Following these, other significant concerns included allegations of unfair dismissal, demands for inhumane work rates, and forced overtime, suggesting a pattern of companies pushing for increased productivity at the expense of worker well-being and fair labor practices.
Brand Responses and Industry Practices

In response to these mounting concerns, some international brands have intensified their oversight of Myanmar-based suppliers. Instead of solely relying on external audits, companies like H&M are actively investigating alleged labor abuse instances, with H&M currently following up on 20 such cases. Conversely, other major retailers, such as Zara's owner Inditex, have opted to phase out purchases from Myanmar, citing increased operational challenges and concerns about maintaining their standards. Some brands, like Primark and Bestseller, have even increased their on-the-ground staff presence to enhance monitoring, even as they navigate decisions about continued sourcing.

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How have worker rights in Myanmar deteriorated since the 2021 coup?

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