"Workers Suffer Due to Rights Violations at Tai Hong Garment Factory", 7 September 2024

Workers at the Tai Hong Garment Factory located at No. 49, Myittay Industrial Zone, Shwe Pyi Thar Township, are suffering due to violations such as not receiving full wages, being [given] excessive [production targets], being forced to work overtime without consulting the workers, and not being given legal benefits, according to the workers.

"The nurse is just pretending to be in the clinic. If you go to ask for medicine, there is not enough medicine...The medicine is only given to you when you come for a check-up...After 2 pm, the factory has issued a rule that they cannot give medicine. If they are not feeling well at that time, the workers suffer. That is why the workers have to buy medicine and carry it to the machine line," said a worker.

A worker working in the factory said that there is no worker consent when it comes to overtime, and that there is no ferry arrangement for the machine lines that do not work overtime.

When it comes to demanding [targets], he said that the supervisory workers...rudely scold the workers.

"...the super[visory] [staff] [are] saying dirty words...throwing cloths and shouting. Pregnant workers are also asked to comply with the same standards as everyone else. The workers are also sewing without drinking water or going to the toilet," the worker said...

...hey are not following the EC contract and are taking measures such as cutting [wages].

"Current difficulties include the failure to provide EC agreements between employers and workers, the failure to establish a WCC to represent workers...the lack of clean toilets, the lack of access to legal rights, the lack of clean drinking water and sanitation, the lack of adequate medical supplies in the medical center,...the fact that workers are not asked to work overtime...and the fact that the supervisors/supervisors/liters are rude and insensitive when the work standards are not met. These are the main violations," said a worker working in the factory...

The factory employs around 1,000 workers, of which more than 500 are day laborers. They are paid 5,000 kyats per day, 1,000 kyats per hour for overtime, and 8,000 kyats for a total of 11 hours of work, and are being forced to work at the same rate as permanent employees.

"Day laborers are fired whenever they want, but they are forced to work under pressure..." the worker said.

...they are facing difficulties because they are not allowed to enjoy legal rights, and workers who take welfare medical leave are also being cut off from their daily wages and are being transferred to new jobs.

"Pregnant women are also not entitled to the legal rights they are entitled to. If they take a gate pass, they will be deducted 2 hours of overtime pay for every hour they take, and they are suffering because they are being made without permission."

The factory employs over 1,000 workers and produces EVERLAST/DIEM brand clothing...there is no labor union in the factory.

Although the WCC has been established, it is reported that many workers are suffering because it cannot resolve disputes and grievances in the workplace.

[Translation via Google Translate]