By Min Ni Kyaw - Nov 26, 2024
Workers at Jiashihao Myanmar Limited, located in Shwe Pyi Thar Industrial Zone reported that they were forced to work overtime and make-up work on every Sundays during November. Workers stated that they had been forced to work overtime and substitute workdays even before November began.
"Throughout November, we didn’t get a single Sunday off. The factory closed for the Tazaungdaing Full Moon Day and National Day, but on November 10th, we were forced to work as a make-up work for the Tazaungdaing holiday," said one worker.
The factory’s regular working hours are reportedly from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with workers required to work two hours of overtime daily. Workers also stated that they were made to work continuously from 12:30 PM, after their lunch break, until 6:30 PM, without any additional breaks.
“We don’t get any rest, it’s continuous until overtime ends. On Saturdays, they call us for extra shifts, and the next day, Sunday, they also make us work. Even on National Day, they tried to force us to work, but since the workers didn’t accept it, the factory had to close,” workers said.
Each time overtime was called, workers were required to agree by signing a consent form, according to reports. However, workers who refused to sign were reportedly called separately and pressured by all supers to sign.
“We didn’t sign the form. When we didn’t sign, they summoned us and pressured us, saying we wouldn’t be able to avoid working overtime. They threatened that we wouldn’t get grade promotions or that our grades would be reduced. We just wanted to rest, but they didn’t allow it,” a female worker explained.
Although the factory provides legally mandated leave, workers stated that their salaries were deducted for using leave. Additionally, workers reported that casual leave is not granted within the first year of employment, but only after completing one year of service.
“Even if we are allowed leave, we lose our salaries and entitlements. To put it simply, the only thing we don’t lose is our job. We get no benefits for taking leave. This includes sick leave and casual leave. They deduct our pay. They don’t allow annual leave during the first year of employment. I don’t understand this. Since casual leave is not granted, we have to take annual leave instead. We are losing our equivalent wages and benefits,” workers said.
Workers also reported that the factory management stated during meetings that gate pass approval would not be granted for any reason. Furthermore, they were required to enter the workplace 15 minutes early before the shift began, which was often used for work-related meetings, depriving them of their full rest time.
“We have to report to work 15 minutes early in the morning. That’s 1 hour and 15 minutes lost per week. With a daily wage of 7,800 MMK, one hour equals 975 MMK. Over five days, that’s about 1,500 MMK lost. These are the losses we’re facing. The factory enforces strict working hours, and we’re not even allowed to clock out five minutes early because of the fingerprint system,” workers explained.
Additionally, workers stated that there are only six fingerprint detectors for over 2,000 workers. They have to record their attendance twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Workers who fail to register are subject to pay deductions.
“The machines can’t handle the number of workers. If we can’t scan in, they deduct our wages. If we miss the morning scan, our attendance bonus is cut, and if we miss the evening scan, our overtime pay is cut. Even though we’re regularly signing in every day, they still deduct our wages for these reasons,” workers said.
During inspections by brand representatives, workers observed that the medical kits appeared fully stocked with supplies, such as rubbing alcohol. However, when workers requested medicine during regular hours, they were often told by HR that there was no medicine available.
“Workers want to take a break because we’ve been working non-stop. If we feel unwell, we want to rest. Overtime is supposed to be voluntary based on the workers’ willingness. We should also have the freedom to take proper breaks,” they said.
Jiashihao Myanmar Limited is a Chinese-owned garment factory located on Kha Yay Road in Shwe Pyi Thar Industrial Zone 1, Shwe Pyi Thar Township, Yangon. The factory employs over 2,000 workers and has a WCC (Workplace Coordinaton Committee).
