Myanmar: Workers at Myanmar Gigi Leather Goods denied permanent contracts and the rights that come with them
Summary
Date Reported: 21 Mar 2023
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Michael Kors (part of Capri Holdings) - Buyer , Myanmar Gigi Leather Goods - Supplier , Tapestry (Formerly Coach) - BuyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 2000
Workers: ( 2000 - Location unknown , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
Denial of permanent contractsResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Myanmar Gigi Leather Goods allegedly supplies to Michael Kors and Tapestry; Michael Kors provided a response to a request for comment from the Resource Centre. Tapestry did not.
Source type: News outlet
"[Despite] working as a day labourer at Myanmar Gigi factory for almost a year, no permanent workers have been appointed", March 21 2023
At the factory owned by Myanmar Gigi Leather Goods Factory Co.; Ltd, the day laborers have been employed for almost a year, but they have not been appointed as permanent workers, the workers said.
The workers said that there is no EC contract for day laborers and they do not have any legal rights.
"I've been working as a day laborer for about a year, so far I haven't been paid as a permanent worker. I asked for all the paperwork, You can't claim rights under the labour law," said a female worker at the Myanmar Gigi factory.
He also said that because the day labourer in that factory is not appointed as a permanent worker, he is losing all his rights as a worker.
During this period, employers are taking advantage of the poor living conditions of workers and hiring them for day labour, said a female labour activist.
"They want to squeeze out the labour force ... If you miss work because you are sick, you don't come back the next day. Not sure when they will be paid or not. If you work, you will get money. I don't get money on days I don't work. "I don't want to give day laborers the rights of the law," he continued.
The factory belonging to Myanmar Gigi Leather Goods Manifactroy Co.; Thadhukan Industrial Zone. It is said that it is located in Shwe Pytha Township and has a workforce of about 2,000, making leather money bags.
According to the Myanmar Investment Commission, the factory was established with foreign investment and the products are mainly exported to the United States.
A labour activist said that factories and day laborers do not want to give workers other rights.
The Myanmar Gigi factory has been recruiting 600 workers for the past few days, and the new workers are being interviewed during the day.
[Translation via Google Translate]