Inditex to exit from Myanmar

The owner company of Zara, Inditex, has announced that it will stop sourcing from Myanmar. This comes after a campaign by the global workers’ union IndustriALL to persuade firms to withdraw from the nation.

The company is in the process of a phased exit from Myanmar. They are responsibly reducing the number of active manufacturers in the country after the call from the union.

Myanmar’s textile sector is a major industry which is a significant employer and also supplies clothing and footwear to major Western brands and retailers. The country has been engulfed in a political and humanitarian catastrophe after a military junta came to power in early 2021. Since then, according to IndustriALL, labor rights have been compromised.

The union has urged the brands and retailers to withdraw. This can lead to job losses and worsen workers’ financial hardships. The European Union said that the businesses should not stop sourcing goods from Myanmar. Famous brands like Mango, Marks & Spencer, and Primark are working towards a responsible exit.