Myanmar: Workers at shoe factory reportedly subjected to labour rights violations, incl. denial of leave, mandatory overtime and physical abuse
Summary
Date Reported: 29 May 2023
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) - Buyer , Myanmar Sunway Shoes - Supplier , MUJI - Former buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 300
Workers: ( 300 - Location unknown , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
Mandatory overtime , Violence , Gender Discrimination , Excessive production targetsResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Myanmar Sunway Shoes allegedly supplies to H&M and MUJI; Both brands provided a response to a request for comment from the Resource Centre. MUJI stated it stopped sourcing from Myanmar in August 2023.
Source type: News outlet
"Workers at the Myanmar Sunway Shoes shoe factory are being subjected to labor rights violations", 29 May 2023
...It is reported that the Myanmar Sunway Shoes shoe factory, which was opened in Dagon New City (Southern), the expanded industrial zone, and the land surveying area of the rest of the soldiers' road, has violated the labor rights of the workers in the factory.
It is known that the factory is owned by Chinese nationals, operates with about 300 people, and sews brands such as...MUJI, H&M.
"...If you take an emergency leave, you are told in advance that the leave is given when there is strong evidence...There is discrimination by super[visors] and there is no medical room for health, and there is no nurse, so they have to buy medical equipment with their own money," said a worker...
There are workplace violations and discrimination in the factory, there is a loss of rights, and workers are given OT on Sundays without their consent. The super[visors] threatened to confiscate their worker's card if they did not want to work, and were forced to work overtime....It is known that they ask for more than the specified [clothing tartget], and if [workers dp] not meet the standard, they are subjected to beatings.
Due to the existence of such rights violations, workers should be given legal rights. He said that he does not want to have a medical room and a nurse, and that he does not want to have workers on Sunday OT without the consent of the workers.