Under pressure from both unions and abroad, the Myanmar government has decided to put the long awaited and reclaimed minimum wage in place. The garment and textile sector employing almost 200,000 in more than 300 factories will feel the impact.
The minimum wage is set at 3,600 kyats (2.5€) for an 8-hour day. It is one of the lowest in Southeast Asia and compares with for example 7€ per day in Thailand. The minimum wage only applies to businesses employing more than 15 workers. Family businesses are also excluded from the obligation yet one in seven works in family businesses. In addition a World Bank study from 2014 indicated that almost three quarters of Myanmar’s workforce works in the unregulated black market.
Strike action, demonst
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