Myanmar: Workers' rights violated at WHM Garment factory
Summary
Date Reported: 11 Mar 2024
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Promod - Buyer , Calliope - Buyer , WHM Myanmar - Supplier , OVS SpA - Former buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 500
Workers: ( 500 - Location unknown , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
Mandatory overtime , Occupational Health & SafetyResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: WHM Myanmar allegedly supplies to Promod, Calliope and OVS SpA; OVS SpA provided a response to a request for comment from the Resource Centre, stating it was an unautheorised subcontractor that had produced OVS clothing in November 2023 but no longer does. Promod and Calliope did not respond.
Source type: News outlet
"WHN Garment factory workers are being violated", 11 March 2024
The workers of WHN Garment factory...have not signed an employment contract (EC) for their work.
The factory...is operating with around 500 workers. It is reported that no workplace coordination committee has been formed.
In the workplace, it is said to be sewing brand coats and pants [for brands] such as ET VOUS, PROMOD, CALLOPE, PUNT.
The working hours are 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, including 2 hours overtime, but currently working overtime from 9:00 pm to 12:00 pm is causing difficulties, the worker said.
The worker said, "... They don't want to go [to overtime] because of the political situation...
The worker said that if the relevant departments came to check on the overtime, the workers would go and hide in the garage...
"When it comes to sewing and mending fabrics, we provide free overtime until 9:00 p.m. On Sundays..." said the worker.
He said that he was worried because he had to work overtime until late at night. The workers said that their health was affected and suffered during the days when they worked all night at the factory.
In the workplace, [they are asking for higher targets] than they can sew, and if there is a shortage [in clothes completed the supervisors swear] harshly [at workers]... the worker said.
Even though they have to pay social security monthly, they are not entitled to medical leave, nor are they entitled to legal benefits.
"I don't get any of the legal benefits, I don't get medical leave, even though there are almost 500 workers, there is no clinic, there is no nurse, there is no rest room, the toilets are dirty and worn, and the dining hall was eaten in the rain last year, and there are not enough dining chairs," said the worker.
[Translation via Google Translate]