By Min Ni Kyaw - Jul 07, 2024

Workers from Kai Xin enterprise furniture factory at War Ta Yar Industrial Zone said the factory officials gave the probationary workers only the salary of 30 days wages but not the subsidy. 

“Those who don’t have 3 months of experience doesn’t get allowance. They only get paid 4,800 kyats a day. Only calculated by 30 days. A daily wage of the worker can buy basic food. That’s their labor,” said a worker.

There are more than 100 workers working in the Kai Xin enterprise garment factory including 10 female workers. The permanent male workers are given 5,800 kyats a day but female workers from machine lines are given 6,800 kyats.

“Its not a problem that attendance bonus and fabric bonus not the same. But not getting the same daily wage is discrimination as they give the same labor,” said a worker.

A worker said that after more than 3 months of service, the factory appoints a permanent worker and then gives a subsidy. In October 2023, the Ministry of Labor instructed factories and workshops to increase the allowance of 1,000 kyats nationwide to workers in Myanmar regardless of location or type of business. All day laborers are covered by this announcement. Businesses with less than 10 employees are not applicable.

The Kai Xin enterprise furniture factory does not have a trade union but the WCC. The factory is owned by a Chinese national and established with foreign investment.