Myanmar: Garment workers allege they 'starve' in order to meet excessive work targets
Summary
Date Reported: 15 Mar 2022
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Textile Palace - Employer , Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) - Buyer , Kiabi - Buyer , OVS SpA - Former buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 2500
Workers: ( 2500 - Location unknown , Clothing & textile )Issues
Mandatory overtime , Excessive production targetsResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Textile Palace allegedly supplies to H&M and Kiabi, and supplied to OVS S.p.A; H&M, Kiabi and OVS S.p.A provided a response to a request for comment from the Resource Centre.
Source type: News outlet
[In] Mawabi Township...Textile Palace Co., Ltd. in Sury Taka Industrial Zone is forcing the employees to [meet increasing targets] and not allowing them to eat out, the employees said.
"Not too long ago, there was a rule at the factory. We give a 15-minute break at 4:00 in the morning. It's the same in the evening. But now it's not 15 minutes...We [can't]...go out to eat during lunchtime. We have to starve to [meet the targets]..." said a Textile Palace factory worker.
According to the workers...the [target] is normally between 80 and 90 stitches per hour, but currently, they are asking for between 150 and 180 garments.
According to the workers, they are working up to 10 hours a day including overtime, but due to the exorbitant demand...they did not [meet] the set [target] and only received a salary of around 230,000 including 1,200 overtime wages...
The workers said that even though OT is paid, they are currently forcing the workers to the point that they cannot meet the requirements...
It is reported that between 2,000 and 2,500 workers are currently working at the Textile Palace Co. Ltd garment factory.
...Textile Palace Co.Ltd...is said to be a factory that sews [for brands including] H&M and KIABI and exports to European and Asian markets.
[Translation via Google Translate]