H&M will gradually reduce its purchases of clothing from Myanmar, in response to persistent reports of poor working conditions in the country. In doing so, the Swedish fashion retailer follows the example of a number of industry peers.
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Last Wednesday, human rights organisation Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) published a report on working conditions in garment factories in Myanmar, including some of H&M’s suppliers. Soon afterwards, the fashion company told Reuters that “After careful consideration we have now taken the decision to gradually phase out our operations in Myanmar“.
In doing so, H&M is following the example of peers such as Inditex (Zara), Primark and Marks & Spencer. Especially since the 2021 coup, abuses are said to be on the rise in the Southeast Asian country. The report speaks of exploitation, wage withholding, forced overtime and unfair dismissal, among other things. The textile industry is important to Myanmar, with some 500 factories producing shoes and clothing for well-known fashion brands. Observers fear, however, that the population will be even worse off when all these fashion companies leave the country.
