By Min Ni Kyaw - Dec 25, 2023
The workers said that the officials of the Jiashihao (Myanmar) factory told them to lie to the brand representatives who came to inquire about the factory.
The workers said that brand representatives mainly inquired about the condition of overtime recruiting, hourly situations and whether the fan was on or off in the factory.
"As soon as the brand representatives (audit) came to check, the managers and HR followed behind. They asked a worker from each line. We had to lie and answer as taught by HR in advance. We lied that only 60 fabric is asked for hourly rate while it is 300 in reality. We also said that they don’t call to much overtime but how could this amount of fabric come out without calling. They also ask about whether the fan was on or off in the factory and we had to answer nonsenses as taught,” said a worker who is currently working in the factory.
At the Jiashihao (Myanmar) factory, overtime is currently being called for 3 hours daily, and on Saturdays it is until 6:30 p.m. The workers said that sometimes they had to work until 8:00 p.m., resulting in a total of more than 20 hours of overtime per week.
In addition, it is also reported that they have to work for 7 hours non-stop from noon to the end of the day.
"Excessive overtime make us physically and mentally sick. There is no advance notice or asking our consent but forced to sign. Line supers will swear and say such as “Don't come to work, don't come to OT again” and the employer himself shouted in the factory with a microphone," the factory workers said.
The workers said that they have been working overtime like this for more than 3 months, and on some Saturdays, they have to work all night. In addition, since the government increased the subsidy by 1000 kyats, the factory's professional fees were reduced by almost half causing the income of each worker decreased by around 30 percent.
"We can’t go back to our hometowns and expenses are high here too. It was convenient when we got 4,800 kyats. Now, even after receiving the allowance, the salary is very low. Not enough to eat. We can't support our families any more," said a worker from Jiashihao (Myanmar).
Only one type of medical leave is allowed by the factory, and the workers said that they cut the wages daily fees, attendance bonus and professional fees. In addition, the workers said that if the generator breaks down during overtime, they have to go back the next day to complete the work without being paid for that overtime.
“In the factory, the fan is turned on only in the morning. Until 1 o'clock in the afternoon. When the brand representative came to check this, the factory officials told us to answer that the fan is on all day. The truth is that they don't turn on the fans because they have to use the generator. Hourly rates are also in high demand. We have to meet the record despite the high heat," said the workers.
The workers of Jiashihao (Myanmar) Garment Factory said that they want to be appointed overtime fairly in accordance with the law, to allow leaves and to make the workplace enjoyable.
It is known that Jiashihao (Myanmar) Co., Ltd garment factory a factory which manufacture H&M brand cloths and it is located in Shwe Pyi Thar Industrial Zone (1), Yangon and a Chinese woman is in charge of 2,000 workers. The workers also said that the WCC group is a fake organization and that there are no members who can solve the problems of the workers.
