Myanmar: Workers at Myanmar Knitting garment factory reported intimidation and gender discrimination
Summary
Date Reported: 6 Jul 2023
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Myanmar Knitting Factory - Supplier , Primark (part of Associated British Foods) - Former buyer , Marks & Spencer - Former buyer , Lidl - Former buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
Harassment (other than sexual)Response
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Myanmar Knitting is allegedly supplying or has supplied to Primark, Marks & Spencer and Lidl; all companies provided a response to a request from the Resource Centre. Primark informed the Resource Centre that its final handover of products from this factory was in August 2022, and Marks & Spencer informed the Resource Centre that its last orders from Myanmar took place in April 2023. Lidl stated it had terminated business with the factory in 2021.
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 6 Jul 2023
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Primark (part of Associated British Foods) - Former buyer , Myanmar Knitting Factory - Supplier , Marks & Spencer - Former buyer , Lidl - Former buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 4969
Workers: ( 4969 - Location unknown , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
ViolenceResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Myanmar Knitting is allegedly supplying or has supplied to Primark, Marks & Spencer and Lidl; all companies provided a response to a request from the Resource Centre. Primark informed the Resource Centre that its final handover of products from this factory was in August 2022, and Marks & Spencer informed the Resource Centre that its last orders from Myanmar took place in April 2023. Lidl stated it had terminated business with the factory in 2021.
Source type: News outlet
"Union bursting and labor violations at the Myanmar Knitting garment factory"
... The factory is owned by Hong Kong citizens and employs over two thousand (estimated) and is known to manufacture M & S brand.
"The Chinese supervisor slapped an employee because he didn't understand what he was saying. He didn't call an interpreter... There is no rule, the dining tables are dirty, and the bread and curry left on the dining table are always picked up by crows."
"There are Chinese people who discriminate against LGBT people, threaten to fire them, and make fun of them," said an employee at the factory...
"Union leaders and representatives at the factory have not yet returned to work... I believe that only when they return to the workplace will there be justice and fairness in the workplace," said an employee of the factory.