Myanmar: Day labourers denied permanent contracts face labour rights abuse at garment factory
Summary
Date Reported: 3 Feb 2024
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Su Zhong Garment - Supplier , Bonprix (part of Otto Group) - Reported buyer , Otto - Reported buyer , LPP Spółka Akcyjna - Reported buyer , Reserved (part of LPP Spółka Akcyjna) - Reported buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 400
Workers: ( 400 - Location unknown , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
Denial of leave , Denial of permanent contracts , Harassment (other than sexual) , Gender Discrimination , Dismissal , Occupational Health & Safety , Excessive production targetsResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Su Zhong Garment allegedly supplies to Otto (for Bonprix) and LPP (for its Reserved brand); Both brands provided a response to a request for comment from the Resource Centre, stating they do not source from the factory.
Source type: News outlet
"They have to sew international brand clothes as day laborers and lose their job security", 4 February 2024
...Garment workers at Su Zhong Garment said that out of more than 400 workers who sew international brand shirts and pants [for] RESERVED [and bpc]...more than 200 are day laborers...
The workers say that day laborers in the workplace have not been approved for employment even though they have completed 3 months of work experience, asking for [higher targets] than what they can sew, not allowing them to enjoy benefits, and yelling and swearing at the workplace.
The workers said that without the formation of a trade union in the workplace, there is no resolution of workplace disputes.
"There are more than 400 workers in the factory. Half...are day laborers. Day laborers are not approved for more than 3 months. They are not allowed to enjoy casual leave or medical leave that a worker is entitled to...Day laborers are fired and rehired regardless of how long they have worked. If a day laborer misses a day's work...he is still fired. He is fired illegally. He does not get any benefits," said a worker.
All workers in the workplace do not receive statutory benefits such as medical leave, and if they miss a day of leave due to health, their salary will be cut...
"The [targets] they ask for [does not allow us to drink] water, not even going to the toilet...
The worker said that since there is no workplace coordination committee in the workplace, there is no way to resolve all the labor issues in the workplace, and even the workers' toilets are [not clean]...
[Translation via Google Translate]