From January 2018 until May, SMART Myanmar, the GIZ Social and Labour Standards in the Textile and Garment Sector in Asia and apparel retailer H&M cooperated to introduce an innovative training method to workers and managers at three garment factories in Yangon in order to build-up their staff capacities on energy, water, waste and chemical management.

The basis of the program was on teaching workers and managers cooperative solutions to environmental improvements in the respective companies. Four of SMART Myanmar's technical experts were responsible for educating on the various environmental management topics and consultants from the firm SUSA, contracted by GIZ SLSG, were responsible for teaching workplace cooperation methods, with a target to implement the improvements recommended by the SMART technical experts. All three participating factories were suppliers of H&M whom were encouraged and supported by H&M to complete the program.

The theory behind the methodology is that starting companies with workplace cooperation on non-controversial issues, such as energy savings, water savings and chemical safety, can build the trust and preconditions necessary for worker/manager discussions and negotiation on more challenging issues, such as company benefits and pay rates.

"Thank you very much for your teaching because we now understand subjects that we didn't know before. I want SMART to give on-site training again in future," said a clerk from participating factory Myanmar Synergy.

"The trainers are patient and explanations are understandable. They have given us good ideas," said a sewing operator from participating factory Style Fashion after the training on solid waste management.