We are heartbroken as we witness thousands of young female garment workers losing their jobs in addition to factory closures. To help unemployed women and their families, we need to act now.
European Union Ambassador to Myanmar Kristian Schmid said that the EU will invest 5 million euros (about 8 billion kyats) ) to support unemployed garment workers in Myanmar and distribute three months’ wages to them.
Mr. Kristian Schmid said that the program called “Myan Ku” will start from May 1 and will provide 75,000 to unemployed workers every month until July. Salary of Kyat ~ 125,000 Kyat. Normally unemployed workers can receive 75,000 kyats per month, and irregular unemployed workers can receive 125,000 kyats. Assistance wages will be paid directly to workers’ mobile phones through Wavemoney.
We are deeply saddened by the fact that in addition to factory closures, we have witnessed thousands of young female garment workers losing their jobs. To help unemployed women and their families, we need to act now.
Du Kai Kai Nuan, general secretary of the Myanmar Garment Association, said that in Myanmar’s garment factory field, 81 factories have been closed and the number of unemployed has reached 25,000. Multiple people. The number of unemployed people in all fields across the country has reached more than 58,000.
In order to obtain assistance funds and contact workers’ associations, unemployed workers need to open a Wave Money remittance account on their mobile phones.
U Die Ning Aung, General Secretary-General of the Myanmar Trade Union, said that although the list of workers in the Workers’ Association is correct, he still hopes to be in the Workers’ Administration Carry out work under supervision.
For this plan, the EU will work under the name “Myan Ku” plan. The funds are obtained through the Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus Response Mechanism (NRM) administered by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
Background information:
EU suspends import of Myanmar-made garments
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Due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, some EU brands have decided to partially cancel their plans to purchase garments from Myanmar due to reduced sales, said Du Kai Kai Nao, secretary of the Myanmar Readymade Garment Association. .
Du Kaikailuo said that at present, after the shortage of raw materials has been solved, brand owners have suspended the purchase of garments, which is another challenge for garment factories. Due to the suspension of garment imports, the garment industry, including garment factories and workers, may face difficulties.
U Myint Soe, chairman of the Myanmar Garment Association, said that because Myanmar has received Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) treatment from the EU, 65% to 70% of Myanmar’s clothing exports are based on the EU market.
It is understood that the EU has provided GSP/EBA treatment to Myanmar since 2013. In 2018, the EU allowed 2.3 billion euros of goods imports from Myanmar. The EU said the preferential trade treatment allowed Myanmar to reduce tariffs worth 250 million euros.
It is reported that Myanmar mainly exports garments, shoes and rice to the EU. 80% of the garments produced in Myanmar are exported to the EU. Moreover, Myanmar’s largest export to the EU is garments, followed by rice. </p
