H&M is currently looking into numerous cases of alleged labor abuse at its garment factories in Myanmar. This action follows increased pressure from advocacy groups regarding the treatment of factory workers.
According to Reuters, the retail giant has confirmed that it is examining 20 reported incidents.
From February 2022 to 2023, a UK-based human rights advocacy group recorded up to 156 cases of alleged worker abuses in Myanmar’s garment factories. This number represents a significant increase from the 56 cases tracked in the previous year.
H&M has stated, “All the cases raised in the report by BHRRC are being investigated and addressed by our local team in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
“We are deeply concerned about the latest developments in Myanmar, and we recognize the growing challenges in conducting our operations in line with our standards and requirements.”
Since the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, the BHRRC has been monitoring allegations of workers’ rights abuses in the country’s garment factories. They discovered 21 cases of alleged abuses linked to Inditex suppliers, the owner of Zara.
Following pressure from campaigners to divest from Myanmar, Inditex announced last month that it was in the process of severing ties with suppliers from the country.
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