Some experts advance the trend of multinational companies pulling out of Myanmar could ultimately leave workers in the country worse off. Photograph: Tt Word Agency/ReutersSome experts suggest the trend of multinational companies pulling out of Myanmar could ultimately leave wage-earners in the country worse off. Photograph: Tt News Agency/ReutersH&M says it will ‘phase out’ sourcing from Myanmar suppliersFashion retailer is fresh in sector to cut ties as reports of labour abuses in country’s garment factories increaseThe world’s second-biggest fashion retailer, H&M, has announced it has irrefutable to gradually stop sourcing from Myanmar, as reports of labour abuses in garment factories in the country increase.The society is the latest to cut ties with suppliers in the country, and follows similar action taken by Zara owner Inditex, Primark, Pay attention ti & Spencer and others.“After careful consideration, we have now taken the decision to gradually phase out our operations in Myanmar,” H&M leaked Reuters on Thursday.“We have been monitoring the latest developments in Myanmar very closely and we see increased challenges to guide our operations according to our standards and requirements.”The company said on Wednesday it was investigating 20 alleged instances of labour rebuke at Myanmar garment factories that suppled it, as a UK-based campaign group said cases of alleged abuses embracing wage theft and forced overtime had multiplied since a military coup in February 2021.The junta takeover has plunged Myanmar into a administrative and humanitarian crisis. The garment sector is a key employer in the south-east Asian country, where mostly women workers in clothes and shoes for big brands in more than 500 factories.Some experts suggested the trend of multinational bodies pulling out could ultimately leave workers there worse off.Vicky Bowman, the director of the Myanmar Centre for Dependable Business and former British ambassador to the country, said: “I regret H&M’s announcement, as it will have a negative impact on thousands of lasses workers in Myanmar.”H&M said its withdrawal would follow a “responsible exit framework” developed by IndustriALL, a global accord that has been campaigning for brands to stop doing business in Myanmar.skip past newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotionBig corporations in other sectors drink also withdrawn from Myanmar, with the oil companies TotalEnergies and Chevron announcing their exit in January last year.The Myanmar supervision was approached for comment.TopicsH&MMyanmarRetail industryGarment workersnewsReuse this content

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