On 1 February 2021, Myanmar’s military unlawfully seized power, dismantling democratic institutions and triggering nationwide resistance. Garment workers, the majority of whom are women, were among the first to join the Civil Disobedience Movement, risking their lives and livelihoods to demand an end to military rule. In response, the junta deployed deadly force to suppress dissent and entrench its control. In collaboration with partners and allies, we documented a sharp increase in labour and human rights abuses against garment workers following the military takeover. This collective effort formed the basis of our allegations tracker, which monitors and records cases of abuse across the sector.

From February 2021 to October 2024, our tracker documented 665 cases of alleged labour and human rights abuses, exposing widespread and systemic harm within the supply chains of international fashion brands. These allegations span 304 factories that currently or previously produced for approximately 187 named global brands and retailers, including Inditex, H&M Group, Primark and BESTSELLER. Many of these companies have since exited the country.

The data underscores the widespread and entrenched nature of abuse across Myanmar’s garment sector, as well as the impunity enjoyed by perpetrators under military rule. It poses urgent questions for apparel brands and their investors about whether responsible sourcing, credible human rights due diligence, and meaningful protection of workers are possible in this context. The most frequently documented abuses include wage theft, unsafe and hazardous working conditions, and extreme production pressures such as excessive targets and mandatory overtime. Other cases involve killings, arbitrary arrests and detention of workers by the military, gender-based violence, attacks on freedom of association, and child labour. Given the sharp restrictions on civic space and the real risk of reprisals for workers who speak out, these cases are almost certainly only a fraction of the true scale of harm.

Use the table below to explore allegations data and filter by sourcing brands, factories, issues and workers affected. Companies' responses to allegations, where provided, are available at the response link.

The Tracker captures publicly reported information on abuses against garment workers. Business & Human Rights Centre does not independently verify the accuracy of the allegations.

Selected case studies