By Hsu Latt Phyu - Nov 01, 2024
Workers report that there are ongoing violations of labor rights within the factory, involving managers and their associates who engage in these violations as well as operating illegal gambling activities.
According to the workers at Sunrise Myanmar Fashion Garment, located on Kyauk Sein Street, Zone 4, Thardu Kan Industrial Zone, Shwe Pyi Thar Township, Yangon, the factory officials involved in labor rights abuses and gambling activities.
During the Thadingyut holiday, the factory was closed for seven days from October 14 to 20, as Chinese staff were returning to China. Workers were required to work substitution for two of these days, and force workers who are valid to take casual leave to take 2 casual leave and those cannot were forced to take unpaid leave.
A worker said, “They closed the factory for seven days instead of the three days of the Thadingyut holiday because the Chinese staff were going back home. It’s unfair because if workers miss even a single day, they risk being fired, but when the factory closes, they force us to take unpaid leave.”
On October 22, following severe flooding due to heavy rain in Yangon, workers requested to be released from work at noon so they could check on their flooded homes and help family members sheltering at a monastery.
“Our homes were flooded, and some family members had already taken refuge at the monastery's relief camp. We asked for permission to leave work to help them, but the all supervisors informed the factory manager to deduct from our allowances we leave. Eventually, after discussions in the supervisor's office, we were told we could leave at 2 p.m. without deductions. The next day, however, the manager announced over the loudspeaker that our allowances will be cut as we leave early yesterday and we would need to work until 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 26 to avoid being cut. Additionally, they mentioned that we would also need to work extra hours during some of the Tazaungdaing holidays including the Dipavali day," the worker said.
"The people who intimidated the workers are the Myanmar national factory manager, the assistant supervisor, and the interpreter. Even if the Chinese factory owners want to fully give workers' rights, these three individuals are engaging in various tactics to undermine them," an unsatisfied worker stated.
"When our homes were flooded, they refused to grant us leave and intimidated to make various deductions. When the Chinese staffs returned to their country, we were called to work substitute in day offs for their absence. That’s not all—there are reports that the factory manager, Ko -- from cutting department, a former workplace coordination committee member and a clerk lady are running illegal gambling operations, including illegal lotteries and stock games for their own benefit," the worker added.
Workers report that the day laborers are not being appointed as permanent stuffs and are instead forced to work excessive overtime. They are often made to work additional hours without any formal agreement or signed consent for overtime. Furthermore, labor-related disputes within the workplace are not being properly addressed or negotiated, leading to grievances for the workers.
The factory reportedly employs more than 1,000 workers and manufacturing Recycle, CLOSSHI Biz and Naflat brands. Working hours are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the factory is owned by a Chinese nationals. The factory does not have a formal trade union but only a workplace coordination committee.
