- The workers in the factories of Mango and Zara in Myanmar have denounced that it is a coronavirus and that they have laid off the unions, not the unions. The Penn State University's Global Centre for Workers' Rights added that the company has annulled several requests and that it has taken advantage of the situation to "eliminate uncomfortable contracts".
In this industry, 4.1 million workers work. Andrew Tillett-Saks, a member of the labour unions in Asia, has reported on Twitter what happened: “The crisis is no excuse for attacking the unions. This crisis is going to hit the workers more, we cannot allow the crisis to be used as a disguise to wipe out the unions.”
Myanmar workers of Myan Mode factory who make @ZARA and @Mango’s clothing march to demand justice. All union members are fired while all non-union workers kept at work. Banner says “Covidis no excuse to union-htm” These brands must do better. #covid-19 @GrimKim @Miquel_R pic.twitter.com/dAsxwpVVgc
— Andrew Tillett-Saks (@PiedTSaks) April 2, 2020
According to a report published by Penn State and WRC, 58% of clothing suppliers in the neighbouring country of Myanmar, Bangladesh, have had to stop production. In addition, 72% of purchasers have refused to pay the costs of raw materials in the Spanish State.
However, the Bangladesh Clothing and Exporter Organization (OECD) has asked international companies to protect workers on the grounds that layoffs would "destroy" them and their families.