“From us having vague awareness to developing a clear understanding - this training revealed incorrect practices and procedures within our workplace,” commented one participating factory.
This participant reflection captures the true impact of the recent "Implementing Social Compliance in Apparel Industries" workshop delivered under the EU funded MADE in Myanmar project, as part of its ongoing commitment to promoting responsible business practices in Myanmar’s garment industry.
During the first half of 2026, six intensive off-site workshops have been conducted: in particular on Human Resource Management in Apparel Industries (3 days) conducted in February, the Social Compliance Implementation (3 days) training conducted in March, 2 workshops on Child Labour Prevention and Remediation (2 days each) during May and June and workshops on Factory Level Grievance Mechanisms (2 days) in June as well as Managing Heat Stress in Apparel Industries (1 day). These workshops aimed to strengthen factory management systems and EHS practices, improve workplace relations, and support garment factories in Myanmar to better align with national laws and international labour standards through practical, applicable knowledge.
Off-site workshops complement MADE's on-site advisory programmes, under which several teams of technical experts from the project evaluate factory systems, interview workers and guide companies to improve social and environmental performance. From electrical engineering advice to practical HR policies and strategies, MADE works on a diverse set of topics to build-up local capacities for safe and decent workplaces.
MADE's HR Management training focuses on developing structured and effective HR systems within garment factories, where workforce sizes are often large and experienced HR personnel remain limited. Participants explore:
- Workforce planning, recruitment, and selection processes
- Legal compliance in employment practices
- Wage setting, leave management, and remuneration systems
- Performance appraisal tools and staff development programs
- Strengthening employee relations and communication
Training sessions emphasize that effective HR management is a strategic investment in factory stability, productivity, and worker motivation, rather than merely an administrative function.
The Social Compliance training guides participants on how to translate compliance requirements into practical workplace implementation. Key topics include:
- Child labour prevention and young worker protection
- Working hours, wages, disciplinary procedures, and grievance handling
- Freedom of association, discrimination, and harassment prevention
- Workplace safety, and environmental, health, and safety management
- Strengthening communication between workers and management
Through discussions, case studies, and role-play activities, participants gain practical tools to reduce workplace misunderstandings, labour disputes, and safety risks while improving worker satisfaction.
The MADE in Myanmar project will continue supporting factories through practical learning opportunities that turn standards into daily practice and policies into meaningful action. The next workshops on HR Management, Grievance Mechanisms and Social Compliance will be run during July, August and September, 2026.
