Myanmar: Garment workers report poor COVID-19 safety measures during the third wave
Summary
Date Reported: 13 Jul 2021
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Myanmar Guotai Huasheng Glory Fashion - Supplier , Carrefour - Former buyer , Primark (part of Associated British Foods) - Former buyer , Auchan - Buyer , Pimkie (part of Association Familiale Mulliez) - Buyer , Lidl - Former buyer , Tendam - BuyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 800
Workers: ( 800 - Location unknown , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
Covid-19 , Personal Health , Occupational Health & SafetyResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Guotai Huasheng Glory Fashion allegedly supplies or has supplied to Primark, Auchan, Carrefour, Lidl and Pimkie; Primark, Auchan, Carrefour and Lidl provided a response to a request for comment from the Resource Centre. Carrefour and Lidl informed the Resource Centre that they no longer source from the factory. Pimkie did not respond. In January 2024, Primark informed us it had completed its responsible exit in October 2023 and no longer sources from the factory. In September 2024, Tendam did not provide a response to an invite to comment from the Resource Centre.
Source type: Social Media
"Working conditions at Guotai Huasheng Glory Fashion Garment Factory during the third wave of COVID-19 epidemic.", 13 July 2021
...The factory name is Guotai Huasheng Glory Fashion Garment Factory. Our factory is weak in preventing [COVID-19] disease. There is no set distance on the ferry. There is no guarantee that you will be alone at the entrance and exit of the factory. During the second wave, [the factory] offered two disposable [masks[ a day. Now I [buy the masks] [every]day. In the factory. Hand washing is not guaranteed in the factory. There is no hand sanitizer on the ferry. There is no set distance at work. The factory did not provide proper information about [COVID-19], but [workers were] asked to sign a warning if [they] did not follow the rules of [COVID-19]...The factory does not follow the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health. If possible, I would like you to come and inspect the factory. There are so many people with the disease now that they want to be organized. It is difficult for us to buy [masks] regularly with our salary. That's why I want employers to issue enough [masks].