British retailer Marks & Spencer (M & S) is going to stop sourcing apparel items from Myanmar from next year citing the reasons of human rights abuse.
At Marks & Spencer, ethical trading is core to the way it does business, the M & S said in a statement released on October 11, 2022.
The M & S has continued to monitor the market closely in Myanmar, through its partnership with the Ethical Trading Initiative, as well as on-the-ground audit process, the statement also said.
The findings from the Myanmar Enhanced Due Diligence Sectoral Assessment demonstrate that it is impossible for M & S's Global Sourcing Principles to be upheld.
"We do not tolerate any human rights abuses within any part of our supply chain and are now working towards a responsible exit from Myanmar, in line with our Responsible Exit Policy, which will see an exit by March 2023," the statement added.
"Over the next six months, we will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders including the Ethical Trading Initiative throughout the consultation process, to ensure that our suppliers adhere to national laws and human rights are upheld," the statement reads further.
The M & S in the statement also said it is looking at what additional measures can be put in place to mitigate the effects of the decision on the individual workers in Myanmar.
As an emerging exporter in global supply chain, textile and apparel are major components for Myanmar economy.
Currently, textile and apparel items contribute more than 30 percent in the national export for Myanmar in a year.
More than 1.1 million workers are employed in garment sector in Myanmar.
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