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16 December, 2025IndustriALL Global Union, together with trade unions from Myanmar and Belgium, has asked the Belgian National Contact Point (NPC) to urgently examine the operations of Sioen Industries in Myanmar under the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct.
Since the military coup in February 2021, Myanmar has been ruled by a brutal dictatorship that has dismantled democratic institutions and violently suppressed workers’ rights. Trade unions have been banned, leaders arrested or forced into exile and workers face constant surveillance, intimidation and the risk of imprisonment for speaking out or organizing. In this climate of fear, unions say there is no safe or legitimate way to uphold freedom of association, collective bargaining or basic labour protections.
Despite this reality, Sioen continues production in Myanmar, employing more than 1,000 workers. The unions argue that operating under military rule exposes workers to serious human rights abuses and contradicts the company’s responsibilities under international standards. They also warn that continued operations financially benefit the military regime through taxes and other payments, indirectly supporting repression. According to the unions, Sioen has failed to carry out meaningful human rights due diligence, engage with legitimate trade unions or prevent reprisals against workers.
“The situation in Myanmar makes responsible business conduct impossible. When workers are jailed, unions are illegal and fear dominates the workplace, companies must not pretend that business can continue as usual. The only way to respect international standards is to disengage responsibly and ensure workers are fully protected,”
said Walton Pantland of IndustriALL campaigns director.
The request is backed by Myanmar unions CTUM and IWFM, now operating in exile, as well as Belgian unions representing Sioen workers in Europe and linked through the company’s global supply chain. Because Myanmar is not an adherent to the OECD system, the unions are calling on Belgian authorities to act, as Sioen is headquartered in Belgium and key decisions affecting Myanmar workers are made there.
The unions are urging urgent and responsible action. They are calling on Sioen to end its operations in Myanmar through a safe and orderly disengagement that guarantees payment of all wages, severance and benefits, and respects international labour standards. They are also asking the Belgian NCP to facilitate dialogue and help ensure that corporate activity does not deepen harm, but instead upholds workers’ rights, dignity and lives during one of the darkest periods in Myanmar’s history.
“Continuing activities in Myanmar is unacceptable for Belgium, for the company and for its workers. It undermines democratic values and constitutes a clear disregard for human rights. The overwhelming body of evidence leaves no doubt: withdrawal from Myanmar is the only responsible and defensible option,”
said Annelies Deman, federal secretary of the AC-CG ABVV-FGTB.