Myanmar Apparel Association Hits Back at Protesters

Officials from Myanmar’s garment trade association have said they respect the right of workers to strike, but cautioned that those taking part in demonstrations need to abide by the law when protesting or face legal action. The comments come just weeks after authorities broke up wage strikes at factories outside Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial capital, at the urging of South Korean officials and as a garment sector delegation from the European Union is visiting the country. “Asking for the raise in salary is their [workers’] right, but this should be within the frame of the law,” Khine Khine Nwe, general secretary of the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association, said Tuesday. While Myanmar is hoping that its low labor costs will draw more Western firms to its factories, the violent crackdown highlighted the industry’s volatility as it struggles to balance demands of workers with those of factory owners. On March 4, 14 striking workers were arrested by baton-wielding police after clashes. Those arrested face two-and-a-half years in prison for violating the country’s Rioting Act, according to state-controlled media. The arrests came after some striking workers had failed to reach an agreement with factory owners since demonstrations began in late January. Following the arrests, local media outlets in South

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