STOCKHOLM – Swedish clothing retailer H&M has expressed concern about delays to implement a minimum wage in Myanmar in a strongly worded statement which also calls for the "peaceful resolution of worker protests," and which suggests that would-be investors will begin to look elsewhere if they see violent tactics being used to curb worker protests. The company's comments come amid claims from Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association that many Chinese and South Korean-operated factories will shut down if a proposed new minimum wage of 3,600 kyatts (US$3.2) per day is approved - a threat which does beg the question of where these businesses might head next in order to find people willing to work for less than US$3.20 per day.
