Myanmar’s garment sector employed about 700,000 people before the Covid-19 pandemic. PHOTO: REUTERS
Production lines in some Yangon garment factories are buzzing despite the political turmoil that has presented global fashion brands with a conundrum – stay in Myanmar or leave the country?
At one factory making trousers for Japanese consumers, Myat, who asked not to use her full name for security reasons, said she worked from 7am to 6pm, six days a week.
Myat is paid overtime for just two hours per day, and any payment for work done beyond that is based on a commission for each piece of garment completed.
“They have a target we need to hit each day. And even after we hit the target, they ask us to work more,” said the 21-year-old woman, who has been working in garment factories for the past four years.
“The supervisor said: ‘The factory cannot pay the overtime fee, but you must work overtime because we have a lot of orders’,” she added.
But inflation and the devaluation of the local currency since the February 2021 coup has meant that the 280,000 kyat (RM618) salary she makes every month is worth a lot less now.
In contrast to the pre-coup exchange rate of about 1,300 kyat to the United States dollar, the market value of the kyat dropped to as low as 3,900 kyat for US$1 (RM4.71) in August.
“Before the coup, even though I earned 240,000 kyat, I could afford to save.
“Now, just to cover my expenses, I need to borrow money from family and friends,” Myat added.
Myanmar’s garment sector employed about 700,000 people before the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the World Bank, Myanmar’s manufacturing exports – which included garments – fell by 11% in the first five months of 2023. — The Straits Times/ANN
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