Assistant Project Manager joins MGMA to support factories in reaching international standards

To support responsible business practices in Myanmar the MGMA has installed its first ever full-time staff member dedicated to answering questions and providing support to garment factories on responsible business practices in Myanmar’s garment industry. This position supports MGMA’s members in several ways, including:

• The implementation of MGMA’s new Code of Conduct.
• Whenever possible, to provide direct and immediate assistance to factory members of the MGMA on queries related to occupational health & safety, workforce relations and environmental practices.
• To coordinate a monthly seminar series on interesting topics relevant for the industry. The first seminar in June, 2015 by Mr. Satish Somuraj from TÜV SÜD covered the “Restricted Substances List in Apparel Industries” and focused on chemicals management. The next talk will be “Factory Fire Safety & Prevention” on August 15th with an expert from WRAP. A talk on adding value with organics & recycled fibres by Control Union will follow in September.
• The CSR advisory desk is also MGMA’s clearinghouse for re-directing queries which the MGMA office lacks the capacity to handle. For instance, a factory seeking to set-up a Workplace Coordination Committee would get some general advice from the MGMA, but would be referred to a specialist at the ILO if they want direct support on such a topic. As another example, a recent enquiry from a factory for social compliance & productivity assistance was relayed to SMART Myanmar’s SCP team for direct support.

Since May 2015, Aung Phyo Chit is the new Assistant Project Manager at MGMA and is now the first point-of-contact at the association’s new CSR desk. He joins Jacob Clere, MGMA Project Manager seconded by SMART Myanmar to MGMA since May 2014, as well as 10 other administrative & professional staff.

“In my new role, I want MGMA members to feel comfortable asking me questions. I think that, too many times, factories are guessing and wondering about how to improve when all they need is a little advice and dedicated support. They can improve, step-by-step. If I don’t know the answer to a question I’ll make sure to put them in contact with someone who does.”
~Aung Phyo Chit, Assistant Project Manager

Aung Phyo Chit has joined the association after working with Maersk Shipping. Having exposure to the business practices and standards of a large European shipping firm has prepared him well to take on his new role. However, transitioning in to an industry as complex and technical as the garment sector is no easy task. To support him, SMART Myanmar has allowed him to join the SCP Assistants on several of their production & social compliance improvement factory visits. Also, he recently participated in a training session with the Myanmar Centre For Responsible Business on grievance mechanisms.

“Factories in Myanmar need a lot of guidance to change quickly with the market. These days, European buyers only want safe factories that treat their workers well. I am happy to be in a position to help factories understand these requirements and reach to these standards,” said Aung Phyo Chit.

“We are pleased that Aung Phyo Chit has joined the team and we have high hopes for what can be accomplished. Within the first 60 days since he joined the association he helped us organize a commercially successful networking event with nearly 100 companies in attendance, organized and managed an educational seminar on chemicals management with international experts from TÜV SÜD for 10 factories and participated in implementing social compliance improvements during site visits in two factories. I think that’s a good and quick start.”
~Jacob A. Clere, MGMA Project Manager

In order to propose topics for MGMA’s monthly seminar series or to get support in factory improvements, contact:

Mr. Aung Phyo Chit
Assistant Project Manager
MGMA CSR Desk
[email protected]
+95 1-214829