Cutting, making and packaging (CMP) garment exports from Myanmar are likely to fetch around $2.2 bn this year, as local companies have bagged more number of orders from the EU and Japan, according to Myanmar Garment Entrepreneurs Association. Apparel orders from the EU have especially increased after reinstatement of GSP rights by the EU. In the ongoing financial year 2016-17 that began on April 1 last year, Myanmar’s garment industry has earned more than $1.65 bn as of last month, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce.
Meanwhile, the Myanmarese Government has constituted a new committee to study and revise the existing minimum wage in the country. The new committee, being chaired by Minister of Labour, immigration and population Thein Swe, includes financial experts, Ministries and representatives from labour and employer groups. Deputy Minister for agriculture, livestock and irrigation Hla Kyaw and Myo Aung, a Senior Official from the Ministry of labour, immigration and population are nominated as Vice Chairmen of the committee. The minimum wage that needs to be paid to entry level workers with no experience is currently K3,600 per day, which was fixed in September 2015. Workers’ groups have been demanding over K5,500 as daily wage.
