The Government of Myanmar has introduced some health and safety guidelines for workers in the garment sector in order to improve the working conditions of the employees. The guidelines have been launched by the country’s Ministry of Labour, immigration and population and includes instructions for handling machines, equipment and chemicals.
The Labour Ministry along with Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA), Myanmar Infrastructure, Craft and Services (MICS), the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) and the Agriculture and Farmers Federation of Myanmar put together the safety guidelines. They also received technical support from the government of Denmark.
TheinSwe, labour Union Minister of Myanmar, urged the garment sector to use these guidelines for the safety of factory workers at the launch ceremony held recently. The guidelines have especially been formulated for the garment sector as it is one of the most important industries of Myanmar and offers jobs to a number of workers in the country.
Close to half million workers are employed in the garment sector and the demand for more employees is increasing, said Kyaw Win, Vice President of MGMA, at the launch ceremony of the guidelines. He added that the association wants to ensure sustainable development of the sector.
Stressing on the importance of following the guidelines, NawAung, Vice President of MICS, urged factory owners to obey the guidelines. The garment sector is likely to provide jobs to close to 1.5 mn workers by 2020, as per the Myanmar Government. Investments are also expected to increase by about $10 bn.
