According to the factory workers, Hengrun Myanmar Garment Factory is summoning them for overtime even on Sundays and public holidays, denying them any days off for the whole month. This factory is owned by a PRC citizen and operates at Mya Sein Yaung Industrial Zone in Hlaing Thar Yar Township.
The laborers have reported that there is numerous violations of their labor rights in the factory, which employs 600 workers, but there is no one who will report these issues to the ministry for them. A WCC committee exists, but the participants are unknown, and it is believed to consist only of their officers.
One factory worker stated, 'We worked the entire month of June without a day off, continuously summoned for overtime since after Thingyan. We get paid, but it is affecting our health due to the lack of rest. We would like to have Sundays off.'
The workers are compelled to work from 7:20 AM to 8:00 PM, and they have received agreement letters to work overtime until July 25. The letters initially stated overtime only until 6:00 PM, but they are being forced to work until 8:00 PM. Supervisors claim it is important and threaten workers with termination if they refuse. Even when workers fall sick, they can't take a leave, especially if the order day is approaching. The factory has a clinic, but there is no pharmacy, and workers have to buy medicines on their own.
The factory manufactures brands such as 'HOUSE' and 'BLUE WAVE,' yet there is no inspection from the Department of Labor, despite the extensive overtime being demanded.
Since the Coup d'état, factories have been demanding excessive overtime, but there have been no actions from the Department of Labor to address the issue.