Updated guidance for companies sourcing from Myanmar

This issue brief provides an update on the situation for workers in Myanmar since the military coup on February 2, 2021 and updates FLA’s statement and guidance issued on March 2, 2021. It focuses on the labor rights risks of sourcing in Myanmar and does not address the potential political, legal, or reputational risks that are inherent in sourcing from a country after a military coup.

Since the coup, the military junta has closed independent unions, arrested union leaders and activists,and generally oppressed the ability of workers to organize or to raise grievances in the workplace. While many companies and suppliers have taken steps to protect workers where they can, the situation for workers has deteriorated over the past two years. Reports from independent trade unions and organizations such as the International Labor Organization (ILO) have documented the decline in labor conditions. The ability of independent assessors and company staff to operate freely to gather information and remediate non-compliances is compromised and means companies may not be receiving accurate information.