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23 Nov 2020

Myanmar: Garment factory accused of union busting after mass dismissal of unionised workers & violent attack against union president; Incl. company responses

At the end of June 2020, around 200 unionised workers were fired from Very Impressive Prospects (VIP) 1 factory after orders from companies stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the factory shut down; however according to workers, non-unionised workers were transferred to other nearby factories. At VIP 2 factory, seven union members were also fired - including the union president - after the union demanded COVID-19 safety measures inside the factory. The union president at VIP 2 was also reportedly stabbed by individuals hired by the factory. Labour groups are calling for brands sourcing from the factory to urge for the immediate reinstatement of all dismissed unionised workers at VIP 1 and 2. 

CCM Hockey, Evil Bikes, Pivot Cycles, Mizuno and Wilson Sporting Goods are named publicly as buyers from the VIP 1 and 2 factories. Labour groups say that despite months of direct outreach from the unions, the brands have refused to intervene or mediate.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited VIP, CCM Hockey, Evil Bikes, Pivot Cycles, Mizuno and Wilson Sporting Goods to respond. VIP, Evil Bikes, Pivot Cycles and Mizuno responded and their responses are included below. CCM Hockey and Wilson did not respond.

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