Statement
13th June, 2025
1.The Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA) is deeply saddened and
profoundly concerned by the decision of the International Labour Organization (ILO) during
the 113th International Labour Conference, held from June 2 to 13, 2025, to implement
measures under Article 33 of the ILO Constitution to monitor Myanmar. This decision has
caused great distress for the Myanmar CMP garment sector, which provides livelihoods for
a large number of workers.
2. The CMP sector in Myanmar includes industries such as garment manufacturing, bag
production, footwear manufacturing, and the assembly of electrical components. These
factories operate under the CMP (Cutting, Making, and Packing) system, in which buyers or
international brands supply all raw materials and accessories. The factories then carry out
the production process and export the finished products to designated countries according to
the instructions provided by the buyers or international brands.
3. Under the CMP system, the value of the workmanship earned by the factories
typically accounts for approximately 10% of the total trade value. The CMP factories in
Myanmar employ around 700,000 workers directly, and approximately twice that number
are employed in related sectors. Furthermore, the number of family members depending on
these workers is estimated to be about four times that of the workforce. International buyers
and brands only place orders with CMP factories that are capable of fully complying with
the codes of conduct and standards they prescribe.
4. Among the 523 member factories of the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers
Association (MGMA), around 60% export to the EU market, 20% to the Japanese market,
and the remaining 20% to other markets. Given the labor-intensive nature of the CMP
sector, these factories are required to consistently adhere to MGMA’s Code of Conduct
Compliance Monitoring Program, which aims to promote continuous improvement. In
addition, in connection with the recommendations under Article 33 of the ILO, MGMA is
committed to enhancing employer-worker relations and will continue to collaborate with
employers, workers, government representatives, and the ILO. In addition, with regard to
the recommended measures under Article 33 of the ILO, MGMA is committed to enhancing
employer-worker relations and will continue to collaborate with employers, workers,
government representatives, and the ILO.
To learn more about the operations of Myanmar’s CMP industry, please refer to the
MYANMAR GARMENT SECTOR FACTSHEET 2.0 (NOVEMBER 2023) published by
EuroCham Myanmar:
https://eurocham-myanmar.org/2023/11/01/myanmar-garment-sector-factsheet-2-0
Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association
