Though Myanmar’s garment exports make up around 10 per cent of the country’s export revenues, this strong growth is at risk due to several factors. The country is yet to develop an efficient legal and institutional framework to establish sound labor market governance. There are limited opportunities for women already working in the sector to learn new skills or to seek a promotion. Factories generally lack formal policies and processes to effectively identify and address workplace harassment and abuse. There are concerns about abuse from managers, limited toilet breaks and unbearably hot working conditions. Though trade unions have the right to organise strikes in Myanmar, heavy handed tactics to deal with protests have painted the garment industry in a negative light. The European Union’s potential withdrawal of its Everything But Arms trade preference scheme has cast an even bigger shadow over the industry, especially with 60 per cent of Myanmar’s garment exports heading to the EU. Concerns about labor rights have led the EU to review Myanmar’s access to the European market.

Still, Myanmar’s garment industry has cemented itself as an important engine of sustainable development. With minimum wages lower than those of China, Cambodia and Vietnam, Myanmar has attracted orders from international retailers.