By Hsu Latt Phyu, Yoon Sat - Feb 22, 2025
An international coalition of labor unions has joined the campaign demanding justice for over 400 workers from the Japanese national-owned Honeys garment factory who have suffered losses for the past seven years.
The campaign, which has reached the Japanese public, highlights the injustices faced by these workers and the seven-year-long legal battle fought by labor rights advocate Daw Myo Aye. The campaign aims to demand justice for the affected workers and will continue until the demands are met.
Daw Myo Myo Aye, director of STUM, stated that they have faced accusations of using the issue for political gain regarding the campaign’s activities in Japan.
"Today, I clarified that since STUM separated from the MICS conference in 2016, we have never engaged in activities for political recognition, nor have we aligned with any political parties. We have never switched loyalties between different political groups. STUM has always focused solely on labor rights and stood firmly with the workers. Therefore, we do not seek favor from any government or political party. Our policy is clear—we do not serve any ruling government or allow ourselves to be used by any political party," Daw Myo Myo Aye stated.
The Honeys PayYourWorkers Campaign, a global movement, was launched on February 14 to address the factory's labor rights violations.
This Photo Campaign is being conducted in collaboration with the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC), an alliance of labor organizations across ASEAN, and STUM. As a result, labor unions and civil society organizations from multiple countries have joined in solidarity.
"The company simply stated that the case was closed, meaning the workers were left with nothing after the case was dismissed, when discussing compensation for 448 workers. They are only concerned with current issues in Myanmar and refuse to acknowledge past cases. As of now, the company has not taken any steps to engage in discussions. Efforts are ongoing through out-of-court negotiations and other legal avenues in Japan. Unless our demands are met, neither the CCC campaign nor STUM will stop," said Daw Myo Myo Aye.
The demand for compensation follows the factory’s mass termination of over 400 workers in 2017 without severance pay. Additionally, Daw Myo Aye is seeking compensation of over 80,000 lakhs kyats for the lawsuit filed against her by the factory.
Honeys Garment Factory, located in Mingalar Fon Township, dismissed the workers in 2017 following their labor rights protests, without providing any severance pay. Thousands of workers demonstrated to demand justice, but over 400 workers ultimately lost their jobs without compensation.
Daw Myo Myo Aye, who assisted the workers, was later sued by the factory for nearly 18,800 lakhs kyats, leading to a seven-year-long legal battle.
