“We cannot imagine anything worse than if our company, in any way possible, should contribute to the situation Myanmar now finds itself in. In fact, our work in the country to date has been about the exact opposite – contributing positively to the country’s development, both economically and politically,” Bestseller CEO and owner Anders Holch Povlsen said in a statement.

The family-owned business said it will not resume business in Myanmar until the country is on the right track again.

“We urge the European Union’s foreign ministers to draw up guidelines for how European companies should respond and – not least – how we, in the most ethical and responsible way, can withdraw from locations where sanctions require it,” Povlsen said in the statement.

“Our biggest concern is the 48,000 factory workers that work at the 36 factories that we and other companies have business with. Their livelihoods rely upon a stable democracy that can secure jobs and development through trade,” Povlsen added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)