Even though the domestic prices everyday consumables have risen three times, the labours’ wages are still the same as those set in 2018, which is affecting their livelihoods, industrial zone labours say.

 The labours state that Myanmar Garment Association issued a statement that pardon the garment factories that announced to leave Myanmar not to leave and to continue to work together but nothing issued for laboural rights and wages.

“I think it's because the businessmen are afraid that their interests and companies will be affected. For me I am afraid that the livelihood of the labours will be affected. I want all of our jobs to be stable. If this statement is true, then the labours should not be oppressed. They should look at workers' rights. Their products have tripled their selling prices in 2018. Do they sell them as before. The wages of us have not been increased to the same level as in 2018. No government approval is required If they want to pay. They tell us to appeal the government because they don’t want to. This is not even a concern if they really care about the labours.”, said by a labour.

 Labour rights activists said The Garment Association issued a statement asking famous brands not to leave Myanmar, not for the sake of the workers working in the factories, but for their own self-interest and that even though it was issued, the workers' rights violations continue to be committed and the workers are still ignored.

 According to the August 26 statement of the association, they believe that the best way for international brands to continue to operate in Myanmar is to contribute to the improvement of employment conditions through responsibility and continued cooperation.

 In addition, the association is ready to cooperate with the responsible investors and co-manufacture with the international brands. They also stated that they will continue to work to improve the condition of the garment sector for all employers and employees.

 The garment industry association issued this statement on August 26 because of the announcement of famous brand such as H&M and ZARA that they were preparing to leave Myanmar.

 They stated that decisions to leave Myanmar can affect the careers of labours in factories, including the high risk of being unemployment which the negative effects of similar departures earlier in the year 2000 have been clearly witnessed.

Recently, there have been announcements they would cut operating resources to Myanmar as massive labour rights violations escalated, as the junta arrested union leaders and labours who speak up for labour rights from the factories which are manufacturing H&M, ZARA and Inditex brands.

In addition, a spokesperson for the European Commission said in a Reuters report that the EU is also monitoring labour rights in Myanmar after the reports of famous fashion brands leaving Myanmar.