Mizzima awarded global JTI certificate for reliable news on Myanmar

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Mizzima Mizzima, one of Myanmar ’s most prominent news outlets and a press freedom advocate, obtained the Journalism Trust Initiative ( JTI ) certification from global audit firm Bureau Veritas , JTI says in a press statement 5 January.  Operating in clandestine mode within Myanmar and supported by an exiled team, Mizzima strives to fulfil its role as reliable source of news and information for the Myanmar public. “Your Journalism Trust Initiative certification affirms what audiences already know: that principled, transparent journalism matters. Congratulations on this achievement and on your continued contribution to informing citizens about Myanmar,” says Benjamin Sabbah , director of Journalism Trust Initiative “Myanmar’s ongoing conflict has created an intensely contested media landscape, where mis- and disinformation are increasingly deployed to reinforce state propaganda and the prevailing “official” narrative. Although Mizzima is already regarded as one of the most trusted ...
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Burma’s garment industry struggling to survive

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Thursday, 18 March 2010 11:30 Kyaw Kha

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Officials from the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association said the industry, affected by the global economic downturn, is still struggling to achieve its previous position.

Since the end of November 2008, production has fallen 30 percent and manufacturers are struggling hard to maintain preventing a further downturn, said U Myint Soe, Chairman of the association.

"The world (financial) crisis has hurt our garment industry since November 2008 and has affected production in February (2010), with the trend continuing. We are trying to stabilize the situation so it doesn’t deteriorate,” added U Myint Soe.

Burmese garment producers receive sub-contracts from international companies and many exports go to Europe, Latin America and Asia, with Japan the principle importer of Burmese textiles. Since 2003, the U.S. government has imposed economic sanctions against Burma’s military regime and banned the import of clothing products from Burma.

U Myint Soe explained labor wages for factory workers have also been affected by the global economic crisis, with unemployment in foreign countries resulting in a loss in demand for textiles.

"It is true that wages and production have declined since there is less demand for clothing around the world. Clothing prices are falling and it means less revenue for the producers," he expanded.

Nonetheless, although the industry is running slowly, according to official figures three new garment factories have begun operations in Rangoon during the last three months, with more than 120 garment factories operating in Burma in total.

The main problems for garment factories in Burma is frequent electricity shortages and extra fuel expenses that add to transaction costs and ensure a low return, a manufacturer from Dagon Seik Kan Township told Mizzima.

Most factory workers in the garment industry are young girls recruited from rural areas who typically earn from 45,000 to 60,000 kyats (US $45 to $60) a month.

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