"Over 500 workers protest at garment factory", 31 January 2019

About 500 workers belonging to unions at over 30 factories protested at the Dishang Kenny garment factory in Hlaing Tharyar township to demand that it rehire seven union members.....

...The sacked workers and trade union officials said the factory's workers have to work excessive overtime but are not paid the proper rate for the extra work.

...The factory's workers also have not received social security cards despite having social security fees deducted from their pay, the officials and workers said.

The workers claimed they have to sign "warning letters" when they take leave and the factory used to fire pregnant workers instead of giving them maternity leave according to labour law.

...Factory manager U Myo Myint Than said the company had to fire the seven because they violated the conditions of their contracts by disrupting and delaying production.

...Factory officials refuted the accusations of the workers and trade unions that they mistreated workers in violation of labour law.

He said the workers were not issued social security cards due to "an error by the Department of Social Security"....

He said the company has to allow overtime work because some of the workers want to earn more money.

The factory has offered the sacked workers more compensation than required by law....