Garment manufacturers in Myanmar have completed collecting data to help them decide on a new minimum wage for workers, according to Daw Nwe Nwe Oo, who led the team that conducted the survey.

The survey results would be submitted next month to the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association, which would tabulate and interpret the findings, she said.

Data was collected from 100 of the more than 160 factories, she said. Some have not responded yet, as their owners have not returned from the Chinese New year holiday.

The survey focused on garment manufacturers’ performance and difficulties in the past year. It looked at owners’ investments, number of employees, workers’ wages, holidays and production, operating and miscellaneous costs.

The results will also be submitted to the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and labour groups on the National Minimum Wage Committee, according to a report in a Myanmarese newspaper.

The daily minimum wage of K4,800 ($3.30) is up for review in May. Some labour groups say they want the wage raised to K9,800 a day due to a higher cost of living.

Under the minimum wage law enacted in 2013, Myanmar’s minimum wage must be reviewed every two years, but the government has submitted a proposal to the Amyotha Hluttaw (upper house) to amend the law to remove the requirement.

Under the amendment, ministries would continue to review the minimum wage and change it if the country’s economic performance warrants.

Other proposals include revising the composition of the minimum wage committee to include labour and employment experts. At present the committee is comprised of representatives from the government, labour and employers.

Published On : 11-02-2020

Source : Fibre 2 Fashion