Seasonal illnesses and body aches are on the rise due to the rain. Most of the labours from the factories and workshop are sick, but don’t get a leave, according to the workers.
"Factory workers can't take leave except for major surgeries and health issues. For normal illnesses, they can't take leave no matter how sick they are.", said by a labour from the New Plus Garment Factory in Shwe Pyithar Township.
In recent days, due to heavy rains, seasonal flu infections have increased, and some schools have been closed, and the number of sick patients arriving at hospitals has also increased.
I can't rest, my whole-body aches and I'm sick. I can't rest in the morning and can't take a leave. I have to take medicine and go. Maybe I'll feel better because I took a dose. If I can get leave, I want to rest. The thing is I can't. Even if I can with taking the scolds, my daily pay and attendance bonus will be cut.", said by a garment labour from East Dagon Myothit Township.
Factory workers not being able to take leave for illness. Some factories even threats to fire them if they do. But in some factories, those who are comfortable with the leaders of the supers can take leave while the others don’t and not dare to.
The workers said that if they miss a day of work due to illness or any other reason, they will be cut off their attendance, grade bonus and may even be fired Therefore, the privileges can’t be used as those bonuses are necessary to a certain extent.
“When workers take a leave for sick, they can go to the social security clinic, if they pay social security contributions. He will get the cashback if he has 6 months of service and contribution. So, the workers will get the daily wages if they appoint to the social security clinic and receive a medical leave. Because of that, what employers do is that it was a little easier in the past, but these days, even if the employer got a leave from the social security, there are cutbacks.”, said by a labour activist.
The reason not giving a leave for the illness is the so-called supers and all supers very afraid that the records they asked by being forced will not meet the targets. If does happen, they would be cut off too. So that they are forcing the labours to work by using some words such as “resign if leave”. Another thing is if the employers have to give a social security leave, he would have to pay for a day but not a service from the labour. So that the labours are having difficulties to take a leave for health issues.”, the situation of the labours stated by him.
There are more factory disputes and labor rights violations including health leave issues after the military coup.
If the labours are sick, there is a shortage of factories that take responsibility for medical treatment and no medical facilities in the clinic and doctors or nurse who can treat are not appointed anymore according to the labours.
