Within the scope of the “Study Mission to Germany” from March 23rd till March 29th 2014, the Confederation of the German Textile and Fashion industry (t+m) has welcomed a delegation of the 12 most important stakeholders from the partner BMOs MGMA, UMFCCI and MBA as well as representatives of relevant national ministries to Frankfurt and Berlin, Germany.
The aim of the “Study Mission” was to inform the participants about the current discussion on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in Germany and Europe and to demonstrate opportunities for possible replication in Myanmar.
The five-day program provided various opportunities for dialogue and in-depth discussions with relevant institutions and stakeholders involved in the subjects surrounding CSR and SCP at the German and European level. At a meeting with the German trade union IG Metall the participants learned all about social dialogue and collective bargaining in Germany. The German Social Accident Insurance BG ETEM presented schemes on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) as well as prevention and ergonomic workplace design in garment production. During a meeting with GIZ and GFA Consulting Group, green finance schemes and support for SMEs were presented and discussed with the delegation. The German Federal Ministries of Economics and Energy as well as the Ministry of Social and Labour Affairs addressed questions relating to CSR at the national and international level and requirements for EU market access, and presented the National Contact Point for the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
The Switch Asia Networking Facility of the Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP) demonstrated projects on sustainable consumption and production in Garment manufacturing. Stiftung OEKO-TEX® expounded the international testing system for harmful substances and elaborated on labelling requirements for garments. Finally, the participants were invited to visit the production facilities of the hosiery Factory of FALKE.
During a joint lunch with the Ambassador of Myanmar, U Soe Nwe, Ms. Khine Khine Nwe, Joint Secretary General of UMFCCI and MGMA thanked the organizers for the arrangements. The President of t+m, Ms. Ingeborg Neumann, personally welcomed the delegation. In her speech she stressed that compliance with labour standards and fair and safe working conditions are a prerequisite for business long-term relationships with German fashion producers. The development of a Code of Conduct for the Burmese clothing industry, also planned as part of SMART Myanmar, will be an important milestone on this path.
During meetings with the German Knitting Industry Association (Gesamtmasche), the German fashion association (GermanFashion), the Dutch Trade Association for Fashion and Textiles (Modint), the European Apparel and Textile Organisation (Euratex) first contacts between the Burmese and European textile and fashion industry could be established. This will pave the way for the successful implementation of a business delegation trip of European garment companies to Myanmar, planned for 2015.
Overall, the Study Mission has been a great success. It has sensitized relevant decision makers from Myanmar for the current discussion around CSR and SCP and has provided a comprehensive overview over standards and innovation in the area of cleaner production in Germany and Europe. It is now up to the participants to translate the various and fruitful lessons learnt into practice in Myanmar. SMART Myanmar will support these endeavours.
