BAT have a factory in the country despite their high profile Deputy Chairman, Ken Clarke MP criticising companies that do business with the regime : I must admit I sometimes feel uncomfortable about investment in that country..The problem in Burma arises when companies start collaborating with an extremely unpleasant regime which is totally contrary to our notions of civil liberties and democracy."
BAT's factory is a joint venture with a government agency and located in an industrial compound upgraded by the military using child labour. Burma Campaign UK are asking people to bombard BAT with email and post cards demanding that they end their assistance to the Burmese government, and will soon extend the campaign to other countries. Earlier this year campaigners against businesses who support the regime won a significant success with the withdrawal of Premier Oil after a five year campaign. John Jackson, Director of Burma Campaign UK says BAT face the biggest global campaign yet organised by Burma democracy campaignersThere is no way a company can operate in Burma without supporting the regime. It is impossible for them to defend their investment. They would do well to pull out now before their corporate reputation is damaged even further.