Myanmar: Garment workers report suffering from health problems due to continuous overtime
Summary
Date Reported: 19 Aug 2023
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Kittenish Knitting Co. - Supplier , Inditex - Reported buyer , Zara (part of Inditex) - Reported buyer , Lidl - BuyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 600
Workers: ( 600 - Location unknown , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
Mandatory overtime , Wage Theft , Occupational Health & Safety , Denial of leaveResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Kittenish Knitting Co. allegedly supplies to Inditex for its ZARA brand and Lidl; Both brands provided a response to a request for comment by the Resource Centre. Inditex stated that it does not source from the factory.
Source type: News outlet
"Labours at the Kittenish Knitting Garment Factory are suffering from health problems due to continuous overtime", 19 August 2023
It is reported that the workers of the Kittenish Knitting Garment Factory in Min Thiedhti Kyaw Swar Road, Industrial Zone 2, Shwe Pyi Thar Township are suffering from health problems due to continuous overtime work.
“I had to work overtime continuously. I can’t refuse even [if] I am tired....if we are sick in the factory, we are not allowed to go back [home]. If it is late [at] 12 o'clock at night, we can't go home...[and] we have to sleep in the factory...We're running ourselves ragged.”, ...a labourer [said].
The factory, which is co-owned by Burmese and Chinese investors, has more than 600 laborers and is known for manufacturing brands such as ZARA and CRIVIT Global Recycled Standard.
“... we have to work overtime until 22:00 and until 00:00 or midnight in sometimes. The female labours also have to work every week. Wage discrimination for overtime exists too. Some get 5,200 MMK but operators and others get 5,600 MMK. I have [worked here for] over three years but I get only 5,200 MMK. Those who have fewer experience than me get 4,000 MMK only.”, she said...
There were 5 or 6 labours who reported...not getting daily wages equally and having to work [a] serious amount of overtime.”, said by a labour.
...the labours say that they are worried that they will not be able to work due to excessive OT, which will affect their health and make it difficult for them to work long-term...