"He MeT Garment Factory Says No Change in Workplace Violations After Inspection", 17 July 2024

The workers of He MeT Company Limited, a garment factory located next to the meter office at No. (-) Dwinthin Taywan U Tun Nyo Street, Hlaing Tharyar Township, said that despite inspections by the department, the factory continues to violate workplace violations without any changes.

"On June 17, 2024, after the factory's violations were reported on social media, on the 28th, a total of 5 people, 3 males and 2 females, from the Labor Inspection Department, came to inspect the factory. They called 22 workers, 1 male and 1 female, and asked them if the violations posted on social media were true. Some of the workers were afraid and answered falsely, but others answered yes. That day, they were released early without calling for OT. They did not hear any swearing. The next day, things went back to normal," the worker said.

The factory [has] more than 1,050 workers, sewing shirts under the brands Ever Me, Page One, and Mo Wome. There is no labor union in the factory.

In the factory, workers are asked to work more than they can...There are 45 supervisors per machine line, and the workers are asked to sew 40 warm jackets per hour. The super[visors] are scolding the workers when they [demand the target], they are rude...and the worst thing is that they are scolding the...girls and boys...on line 4 every day.

The violations continue, including not being able to work overtime, having to work overtime on night shifts and overnight shifts every day, and being told to work overnight shifts and overnight shifts again on July 18 and 19, and the workers are constantly working on night shifts and overnight shifts, which is affecting their health, and the wages they have to work overtime on line 11 are not being paid.

In addition, the employer is not taking action [for] the workers on line 11 who are being loaned money at a high interest rate of 20%, and the workers are suffering because of the interest.

"If a married worker gets pregnant, they are fired and leave the job without telling anyone. They are not entitled to the sick leave and medical leave that workers are entitled to. They pay social security every month and are not entitled to any benefits," the worker said.

If the worker is unwell, they are deprived of their daily allowance (5,800 kyats) and regular allowance (10,000 kyats), totaling (15,800 kyats).

In the workplace, there are cases of broken hands, severed hands, and needlestick injuries while working. If there are injuries, the employer does not take responsibility and does not provide treatment. When they go home after work (7:30), they have to wait because the [factory transport] does not arrive. It almost always arrives at 8:30 p.m., so the workers are always late to go home. More than 300 young and middle-aged workers are also forced to work on an equal basis with adult workers and are forced to hide when they are inspected.

Regarding such violations of workers' rights, the workers said:

1. Employers should not force young...workers to work on an equal basis with older workers.
2. Employers should allow workers to enjoy their rights to holidays and medical leave.
3. Employers should take responsibility for...workers’ verbal abuse.
4. Employers should not force workers to sign a medical certificate when they go to the clinic.
5. Employers should not fire pregnant women.
6. Employers should take responsibility for verbal abuse and rudeness in supermarkets.

[Translation via Google Translate]