Violence in Myanmar

Admits “difficult situation” – distances itself from violations

New Wave says it distances itself from all serious human rights violations at its factories in Myanmar, as reported by Smålandsposten.

– Such conditions are unacceptable, says sustainability manager Anni Sandgren.

The company states that it is staying in the country to be able to influence working conditions, as a quick withdrawal could hit the workers.

At the same time, the company admits that the situation is difficult and that controlling the factories is a challenge. However, it says that it has tightened monitoring and is cooperating in international projects.

The union remains critical and believes that companies in Myanmar risk contributing to the military junta’s finances.

New Wave CEO Torsten Jansson does not want to comment. 

Swedish company accused of contributing to the “junta’s slaughter”

Torsten Jansson’s New Wave buys clothes from factories in the military dictatorship of Myanmar where workers are forced to work overtime, are subjected to violence and are fired when they protest. Smålandsposten writes this in several in-depth articles.

– They are complicit in the junta’s slaughter, says Atle Höie, general secretary of the International Industrial Workers Union.

The union demands that the company leave the country. New Wave says that it takes the criticism seriously and is trying to improve conditions, but admits shortcomings in the control of suppliers.

After the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, the situation for workers has worsened and protests have been suppressed. Several clothing companies have left the country.

For many years, New Wave Group has invested heavily in Kosta in Småland, where it sells its own brands.