Dozens of major global brands, including Gap Inc, Marks & Spencer and Adidas, support Myanmar government's proposed minimum wage of Kyat 3,600 for an eight-hour working day

Dozens of major global brands, including Gap Inc, Marks & Spencer and Adidas, have supported the government’s proposed minimum wage of K3,600 ($3.2) for an eight-hour day, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported, referring to letters from these companies to the labour minister.

The firms said that a guaranteed pay rate would help promote investment in the country’s garment industry and raise the living standard of its workers, the report said.

The support was expressed in their letters sent to the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security and the National Committee on Minimum Wage by the Ethical Trading Initiative and the Fair Labour Association comprising companies exploring investment in Myanmar.

The global brand groups lauded the government for undertaking a transparent mechanism for setting the minimum wage in line with the International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions.

The companies group disagreed the suggestions made by trade associations that a higher minimum wage will discourage international investment, arguing that it is based on a false premise.

Myanmar's National Minimum Wage Committee proposed on June 29 a negotiable minimum 8-hour daily wage of K3,600 kyats for all workers in the country after conclusion of one year’s coordination between the government, employers and labour representatives.

Source: http://www.mmbiztoday.com/articles/major-global-brands-back-minimum-wage-proposal

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