The new factories opened in Myanmar as other close amid COVID – 19 outbreaks

Due to raw material shortages caused by the coronavirus outbreak, eight factories have closed down, six others suspended operations and another two laid off workers in the period from the beginning of the year to March 10. The Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population said it had helped more than 3,400 workers obtain benefits.
During the same period, a total of 69 new factories opened in Myanmar, including 18 in the garment sector, 11 bag-making factories, 4 shoe factories and 36 factories in other sectors. These new factories created a total of 11,511 jobs, according to U Thein Swe, Union Minister of Labor, Immigration and Population.
“We are closely wacthing the potential impacts on employers and employees as well as problems faced by factories due to the virus outbreak. Moreover, we are preparing preventive measures to help workers and employers in accordance with existing laws,” the minister said.
Affected factories have resorted to various measures from overtime cutbacks to staff downsizing to temporary or permanent closings, all ofwhich have hurt workers.
The Ministry of Labor is working with other relevant ministries, employers organizations and labor unions to find ways to remedy the impact and losses caused by the pandemic.

(Myanmar Business Today: https://mmbiztoday.com/new-factories-open-as-others-close-amid-virus-outbreak/ )

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