In August 2022, it was reported that garment workers holding Sagaing Region (5/) or Magway Division (8/) registration cards were being fired, refused employment and denied access to live in the dormitories, at factories in several townships, including Hlaing Thayar, Mingalandom, Shwe Pytha, Moyan Shwe Lamin, and Myatsukout, following an order from the military council. The military reportedly threatened to close factories and take action if the workers were not fired.

The army reportedly suspects that workers from these regions are supporters of the Peoples Defence Force, and that their wages are being sent to their families in these regions and supporting the resistance efforts against the military.

Factories where workers were fired include Myanmar Bestex Garment factory, Ti factory, EMC factory, Myanmar Lucky Fortune Garment, China Morning, Green Wings International Co. Ltd and Zhejiang Tongli Clothing. It was reported that Green Wings International also fired workers registered from Kayah (2/) and Mandalay (9/).

In September 2022, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited LPP S.A., H&M, Inditex, RBX Active, and OVS SpA to respond. In September 2024, we invited Workman to respond. The full responses are included below.