"Hang Kei Myanmar Garment Factory Violates Workers' Rights", 27 August 2024

Workers say that they are being denied their rights under the Labor Law at the Hang Kei Myanmar factory, located at No. --, Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone, Hlaing Tharyar Township, Yangon Region.

The factory...employs more than 1,000 workers, producing Hunkemoller brand underwear.

During a meeting at the factory on August 24, the workers protested and demanded that WCC employer representatives make disrespectful remarks to the workers.

"The incident happened on Saturday, the 24th, when the WCC representatives from the employer's side started behaving badly and insulting the workers. They argued with the workers' representatives, and later the workers gathered in the dining hall and demanded a work stoppage," said a worker working at the factory.

The employer did not respond to the incident and threatened to call the army to arrest them, and the workers returned to work on the 26th.

"If something happens, they threaten to call the army," said the garment worker.

The relevant labor department came to resolve the protest, but no solution was found.

"When this happened, the superintendents became angry and scolded and pressured the workers," the worker continued.

He said that the workers in the factory were not receiving the legal benefits they were entitled to.

"We don't [get] casual leave or medical leave. If you...ask [for leave] for an emergency, they won't give you leave. They say that you are absent on your own and you can't take it if you are sick...If you miss one day of work, you will be charged 4,800 baht in daily wages, 2,000 baht in allowance, and 20,000 baht in regular wages," the worker said.

The garment [target]standard also requires that a line with 40 workers, including supervisors and assistants, produce more than 1,000 garments for 10 hours of work, and the supervisors are forced to swear to meet that number.

The standard working hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the workers are forced to work until 9 p.m...They are forced to work without prior notice.

"...If you get sick while working, you have to work hard because there is no medicine," the female worker said.

The workers' demands are:

1. The employer should respect the WCC representative...and take responsibility for the protest.
2. When requesting a [target], the employer should only request a record that the workers can [meet]
3. The employer should allow the workers to enjoy the right to casual leave.
4. If the employer calls for overtime, the workers should immediately [be asked] for their consent.
5. If the employer says something, they should absolutely not threaten the workers with the military.
6. The workers said that they would like to request that the super[visors] not hold grudges, curse, or pressure the workers.

[Translation via Google Translate]