"Universal Apparel Garment Factory Workers Are Being Violated", 31 October 2024

It has been reported that workers at the Universal Apparel Co, ltd garment factory located in No. (6), Ngwe Bheung Industrial Zone, Hlaing Tharyar Township, Yangon Region are being subjected to labor rights violations.

The factory...employs over 1,200 workers and produces shirts [for] the SFERA MAN and PRONTO UOMO brands.

"The normal working hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6:10 p.m...They only have 40 minutes for meals. They are called to work overtime from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m...Workers who do not work overtime are subjected to verbal abuse, rude comments, and discrimination."

...If the [target] is not met, the supervisors...speak rudely and swear at the workers every day. Even when workers are entitled to take a paid leave, they are never allowed to take it even after many years of service. They are also told off when they take social security medical leave.

If workers miss a day...they are [not] paid...

...the WCC is formed by the employer, so there is no discussion about any issues related to the workers in the workplace and they only follow the employer's orders.

In addition, the workers have issued a demand to the employer [regarding] violations such as the lack of regular medicines, the employment of 14- and 15-year-old workers without a medical certificate stating that they are in good health, and the equal employment of adult workers.

The workers are demanding:

1. The employer should provide the casual leave that workers are entitled to.
2. The employer should not force workers to work overtime.
3. The WCC should be chosen by the workers and not the WCC chosen by the employer.
4. The employer should ask for a [target] that workers can [meet]...

[Translation via Google Translate]