MADE BY ME

"I wanted to show them as proud creators, not as victims." With this one sentence, photographer Chris de Bode summarizes how he wanted to portray clothing workers in Myanmar. Of course, they work long hours, work in harsh conditions, earn little and live in ramshackle hostels. But Asian garment workers are also worthy and combative workers with their own dreams and ideals. So let them shine on their chosen catwalk, Chris thought.

Chris bought a bag full of clothes from H&M and WE in the Netherlands, which, according to the labels, were made in Myanmar. In Myanmar he approached garment workers through two unions in two factories in Yangon, which produce for H&M, among others. He let the clothing workers decide for themselves what to put on and where to pose. They chose beloved places like a temple or a swimming pool or their own bedroom. But they preferred not to pose in a hostel provided by their employer. In a country where superintendents scrape you and throw irons at your head, this could just be a reason for dismissal.

The clothing workers were very interested in the clothes Chris was carrying. What label was in it, how was it stitched? Sometimes they could have made a garment themselves. They were amazed at what Dutch consumers pay for it. The price of three jackets from WE corresponds to a Myanmarees monthly wages. It is therefore not surprising that Myanmar clothing workers rarely wear what they make themselves. As a thank you for posing, they were allowed to keep their chosen garment. Did posing still spark the desire to become a fashion model? Chris laughs: “No, most of them want to start their own clothing workshop. They are really proud of their profession. ”

Text by Menno Bosma / www.wereldinwoorden.nl

COVID-19

Clothing and textiles are the largest export sector for Myanmar and accounted for approximately € 4.7 billion in 2018/2019, of which about 70% went to the EU market. About € 300 million worth of clothing was shipped for the Dutch market. (Source: Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA + SimexMM). The industry employs nearly one million people, mostly women.   As a result of the impact of corona in China, many factories have been without supplies and materials such as fabrics and machine parts for 3 months. However, what has even more impact is the number of orders that are dissolved by clothing brands. And it is expected that for the most part new orders will not materialize and hundreds of thousands of employees will have to fear for their jobs. Myanmar has no social security system like ours and many families depend on the income of a family member who works in a clothing factory.   At present, more than 30 factories are already closed and more than 40,000 workers are out of work. In addition, many factories are without new orders and the question is how many factories will still open after the Burmese New Year that is celebrated with the water festival in the period 13-16 April.

Text by Ruben Korevaar / Mondiaal FNV

This project is funded by Mondiaal FNV and ASN Bank.

Idea and photography by Chris de Bode

Assistant to the photographer: Robin Wagenaar

Producer in Myanmar: Cape Diamond