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Article

10 Jul 2023

Author:
Min Ni Kyaw, Myanmar Labour News

Myanmar: Garment workers have phones confiscated after requesting less overtime

See all tags Allegations

"HENG RUN (MYANMAR) FACTORY SECURITY OF WORKERS' PERSONAL PHONES", 10 July 2023

The workers said that the HENG RUN (MYANMAR) factory HR team confiscated the mobile phones of the workers during working hours because they heard that they were being asked not to have overtime.

...those who complained about the factory are also being investigated.

“Looking for someone who resists overwork, HR followed up with line supers asking who they might be. Phones are also being confiscated from the entrance of the factory," said a worker...

"...The line clerks kept the phones of the line workers in the office...We don't even have free time...Work is tiring. I'm tired too..." he continued.

While the mobile phones of the workers were confiscated, the phones of the office assistants, line leaders and clerks were not confiscated, he said.

HENG RUN (MYANMAR) factory is located in Hlaingthayar Township, Yangon. It is reported that the garment industry is working with a workforce of around 600 in the Emerald Industrial Zone.

The workers said that the factory is owned by Chinese nationals.

In HENG RUN (MYANMAR) factory last May and June, overtime was called and rest days are only 2 days.

During those two months, I had to work overtime from Monday to Friday from 4 pm to 8 pm. Saturday Some factory workers told Myanmar Labor News that they had to work from 7:30 am to 8 pm on Sundays and public holidays.

“In 6 months there is no rest day at all...Due to the cut of daily wages, the monthly income for the workers is suffering a lot," he said.

Labor activists say confiscating a worker's mobile phone is a violation of rights...

In HENG RUN (MYANMAR) factory, the workers are being monitored by CCTV...and the workers also say that they are writing down the time when they enter and leave the toilet for convenience.

In addition, some of the workers are also being monitored by cleaning staff and security staff, the workers said.

[Translation via Google Translate]

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