“Union successfully fights mass dismissals in Myanmar”, 11 August 2020

The Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) has successfully fought two mass dismissal cases, winning the reinstatement of over a hundred garment workers in Yangon.

In March, Kamcaine Manufacturing used Covid-19 as an excuse to dismiss 57 workers, members of IWFM. After months of engagement and a campaign to reinstate them, the company and the union reached a written agreement on 4 August 2020.

The agreement states that all 57 workers will be rehired and 5 local union leaders be reinstated with full back wages, benefits, and seniority.

Both parties agree to comply with freedom of association (FOA) guidelines, which stipulate that no worker should be penalized or discriminated against for his or her participation in a trade union.

In March, the garment company terminated the 57 IWFM members, including all seven executive members of the local union. The company claimed the termination was unavoidable due to a lack of orders during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, IWFM criticized management for union busting, as new workers were hired after the dismissal of the union members.

The IWFM also successfully negotiated with Futeli garment factory to reinstate 111 workers with full compensation and their original status…