Myo Thein
Workers told the Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) that Casico Garment Co., Ltd. has still not paid wages for the month of November as of now. In the garment sector, it is customary for factories to pay monthly wages by the 5th of the following month, according to garment workers.
“It has been three months now that wages haven’t been paid by the 5th. As for November wages, we still haven’t received them even today. Dormitory fees and debts are demanded as soon as the month ends and the 5th arrives. Now we feel ashamed, and people no longer trust us. It’s not just one month or two—we are really suffering,” workers said.
Workers also said they have reported the non-payment and delayed payment of wages to the labor office.
Casico Garment Co., Ltd. is located on Seikkan Thar Road, Industrial Zone 3, Hlaingtharyar Township, and employs more than 400 workers. Workers also reported that they are under pressure to meet production targets, with supervisors demanding targets through verbal abuse.
“There are 45 workers on one sewing line. They demand up to 60 pieces per hour for padded jackets. Each sewing worker has to sew from three points up to four points. We sew all day, and the target they demand does not even include overtime. If we don’t meet it, supervisors curse at us nonstop it’s unbearable,” workers said.
In addition, workers said the factory does not comply with legally mandated benefits, including medical leave and other forms of leave. If a worker misses a day, not only is the daily wage deducted, but other benefits are also cut. Workers also said the factory has failed to implement the Ministry of Labor’s directive to provide an additional 1,000 kyats allowance.
“They deduct the daily wage and the 60,000-kyat attendance bonus if we miss a day. They also don’t pay the 1,000-kyat subsody that was supposed to be increased,” workers said.
Workers further reported that drinking water at the workplace is not clean, yet they are forced to use it, leading to health problems.
Casico Garment Co., Ltd. is a Chinese citizen-owned factory producing padded jackets under the KENTA brand, according to workers.
