By Min Ni Kyaw - Nov 25, 2024
Workers at the Prettex Myanmar factory have said that they are being forced to work overtime against labour law regulations and ministry’s directives. They claim that the factory manager themselves has directly ordered workers to work excessive hours.
“Since the Thadingyut holiday, the manager has been forcing us. Even before the Tazaungdaing holiday, we were made to work overtime, and we raised complaints about it. But we had to continue doing even during the Tazaungdaing holiday,” a worker reported.
Workers have stated that since the Thadingyut holiday ended, they have had almost no rest days and have been continuously working. Despite complaints to the relevant labor offices about these illegal overtime practices, the factory management has reportedly refused to make any changes.
“Officials from the township labor office came to inspect the situation when we were called for all night overtime,. We don’t know what agreements were made, but on the same day, we still had to work overtime. Even after filing complaints, the factory continues to force us to work overtime until 8 PM. There are also times when we’re required to work night shifts after that. No prior notice is given, and they don’t provide food allowances or meals. We have to work overtime at our own expense. The supervisors are extremely harsh as well. One worker, who is a nursing mother, tried to explain that she couldn’t stay for overtime due to her situation, but the supervisor told her, ‘You’re not the only one who’s had children. We’ve had children too. If you can’t work, just leave,’” a worker recounted.
After inspections by labor authorities, workers reported that the factory selectively forced certain groups of employees to work illegal overtime.
“To avoid detection by labor officials, the factory turned off all the lights when those not working overtime are leaving the factory. Once they were gone, the lights were turned back on, and the remaining workers were forced to continue working,” another worker revealed.
The 2022 directive issued by the Department of Labor Inspection under the Employment and Labor Law states that workers cannot be forced to work overtime exceeding 20 hours per week. Additionally, prior approval must be obtained from labor offices at least a week in advance, and workers’ consent and signatures must be secured before assigning overtime.
Although Prettex Myanmar has a Workplace Coordination Committee (WCC), workers claim that the committee has failed to assist them with complaints about excessive overtime. After complaints were made about the illegal overtime practices, the factory imposed strict inspections and banned the use of mobile phones within the premises.
“The WCC just tells us that overtime is essential. If we don’t want to work overtime, we can quit. They say there’s nothing they can do to help. They also told us that they’re working overtime too. Now the factory security searches for mobile phones during inspections. They even search inappropriate parts. If there’s a family emergency, we’re unable to contact anyone. The manager even said, ‘File your complaints wherever you want,’” workers explained.
Prettex Myanmar factory is located in the Thadukan Industrial Zone, Shwe Pyi Thar Township, Yangon. It is a 100% foreign-invested factory owned by Chinese national, employing approximately 1,000 workers. Workers stated that the factory manufactures brands such as Have a Wonderful Day, Chinese National Geography and Reserved.
