Since Myanmar's military junta illegally seized power on 1 February 2021, numerous reports have emerged that garment factories in Myanmar have been allegedly colluding with the military junta to oppress workers and rollback labour rights protections. The military has been raiding factories to arrest workers they suspect have taken part in anti-coup protests and unions claim factories have been acting as 'informants' for the junta, sharing lists of the names and contact information of union leaders with security forces.

In May 2021, the military and police allegedly raided Gasan Apparel factory to arrest workers they suspected had taken part in anti-coup protests. Prior to the raid, workers allegedly heard the factory’s manager on the phone to someone believed to be an official from the junta. Workers and unions claim senior management has colluded with the military, providing security forces with the names of union leaders.

In October 2021, Ko Thwin Aung, president of the Gasan Apparel Garment Workers Committee was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment under Section 505(a) of the penal code, which rights groups have criticised as a sweeping law that has been revised by the junta with much broader language to punish anyone who criticises the coup or the military.

Furthermore, in early November 2021, security forces raided the factory, following strikes staged by 350 workers in October 2021 over pay cuts and reductions in benefits. Unions and workers claim factory management had been “acting as informants” for the junta for months and had called in junta forces to supress the strike.

It was also reported that the HR manager at Rui-Ning, Kyaw Kyaw, was oppressing workers and made threats that he would call the military to arrest workers, up until his assassination on 9 November 2021. Workers and unions claim senior management has colluded with the military, providing security forces with the names of union leaders.

According to reports, Inditex cut ties with Gasan Apparel in May 2021 and blocked Rui-Ning from its supply chain in early spring. Inditex has said the wellbeing of workers throughout their supply chain “remains our priority” and supports the call by the IndustriALL global union for companies, including fashion brands, to cease operations in Myanmar.

Mango also confirmed it pulled production from Gasan Apparel in September, but continues to operate in other factories across the country. The company said it is “deeply worried” about the situation in Myanmar but is “following what is happening” on the ground through its local in-country teams and relationship with the CCOO (one of Spain's largest unions) and “hopes” a solution can be found soon.

Management at Gasan Apparel has denied allegations of collusion with security forces. “We didn’t call the police or the military,” said one manager who asked not to use their name over security concerns. “They came by themselves and we just talked in the office. The workers felt insecure and ran away. This is a misunderstanding.”

Further company comments can be found in the articles linked below.

The allegations of abuse contained in this item are featured in our Myanmar garment worker allegations tracker