Myanmar: Garment workers forced to work until dawn if excessive targets are not met
"Even though I had to sew clothes from 10 hours a day until late at night, I was not paid for overtime", 6 March 2024
Workers at the Dongxin Garment garment factory say they work 10 to 12 hours a day, or work all night...with no overtime pay...
...the factory...operates with more than 700 workers, neither a trade union organization nor a labor coordination committee has been formed.
"Working hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with 2 hours overtime. Now, you can work from 8:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m., until dawn...and you don't get overtime pay after that. You don't get overtime pay for going off on Sundays either," the worker said...
"... If they don't meet the set target], [workers] sew until they get it. If they don't meet the [target]...they have to work overtime...until dawn. Even if they work on Sundays, they don't get overtime pay," explained the worker...
It is reported that the workers are not allowed to take legal leave and take gate [passes].
Day laborers are also employed in the workplace, and although they have to work the same hours as approved workers in the factory, they do not get overtime pay...
In addition, there is no medical rest room in the workplace, and there is no responsibility in case of workplace injury.
The factory has been in operation for more than 1 year and the sewing brand is Windcore brand jackets.
...the demands of the workers
- If overtime is required, calculate overtime pay...
- To employ day laborers as permanent employees. To recalculate the overtime pay with a back date.
- To set up a clinic in the factory. To provide treatment and care in case of accident during return to the factory...
[Translation via Google Translate]